Giving Generously in All Circumstances

While preparing for Christmas, I’ve been pondering a conversation I had with someone years ago who believed happiness was attained by achieving financial wealth.

“Having a lot of money does not bring happiness,” I boldly proclaimed. The person I was speaking with said, “As a person who has never had a lot of money, how do you know that?"

I continued defending my belief that money does not bring the joy we long for because happiness can only come deep from within the soul. It has nothing to do with the amount of money we make or the possessions we own.

I lived with a deep sense of joy and happiness for many years when I barely had enough money to make ends meet. 

In fact, some of the most joyous times of my life have been when I’ve been flat broke.

As I tried to convince this person of what I was certain of, he continued trying to convince me that having a huge amount of money does indeed make us happy. I reminded him that some of the most miserable people in the world are financially wealthy. He was still not convinced.

I paused and looked intently into his face while kindly saying, “We cannot take anything we own or the money we make into the casket with us; therefore I will spend my life working on eternal investments—the things that cannot be stolen or destroyed by natural disasters.”  

Our friendly debate ended with my words. He understood the point I was trying to make.

I believe true happiness comes from the ways we give of ourselves to others. Our greatest need as human beings is to love others and to receive love. Giving is part of loving. But we don't have to be financially wealthy to give greatly and generously. Even in times of financial famine we can find ways to give of ourselves to others.

We can give of ourselves by volunteering our time and services. We can give by making handmade gifts—these are actually the best gifts to receive. We can give sacrificially by giving our favorite possession to a loved one—this is the most powerful way to give. 

And most importantly, we can encourage others with our words and compliments. So no matter what the amount in our bank account happens to be, we can give generously and live happily in the hardest of times.

 
This Christmas season and in the years ahead, let us focus on what really matters in life. Let us give extravagantly whether we have an excessive amount of money or not.

May we seek Christ first, and surrender ourselves fully to Him so that we will always have enough to meet our own needs and plenty to share with others. 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ~ Matthew 6:19 

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

Live Abundantly!
Amy  

Contentment

No matter how much we may try not to be spoiled, I believe it is inevitable while living in America. We have been such a blessed nation. We are so used to having luxuries that people in other developing countries couldn't even fathom.

When my husband lost his great paying job in 1989 and after I chose to work less and eventually quit working in the corporate world to focus on parenting, our income dropped close to the poverty level. God began restructuring our thinking. Those years of having very little income were truly a gift to us.

I learned that contentment comes deep from within the soul. 

Paul said it best... But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
 
Today, I am content and I pray I always will be. I am content not because my husband has a great job now—and not because we have plenty of money coming in each month. I am content because every morning when I wake up I feel the love of Christ embracing my soul. I feel His Spirit consuming my being as I begin a new day of life. It's a contentment that can never come from any amount of money or stuff. It is eternal.

In a world where worth is defined by what we own and what we do for a living, we have been able to learn to put our faith and values in spiritual things.  

When I am gone from this earth I want to be remembered by my loving and generous heart. 

One of my all time favorite quotes sums up what's important in this life: "One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child."

I want to make a difference in the world.

I want people to say, "Amy lived a simple life, she poured herself out sacrificially to others. She didn't have too much materially but she was rich in love and spiritual wisdom."

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Live Abundantly!
Amy

Simple Living: The New Normal

Living simply wasn't popular when I started my simplicity journey. In fact, I've felt like an oddball for most of the years since I chose to let go of a great job and live my life with less stuff. I live in a neighborhood of relatively small homes. The realtor called our house a starter home when we bought it in 1986. Our modest neighborhood (with scattered run down homes) is tucked in a very high income area in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, yet I am abundantly contented. 

In my past, there was a fierce battle inside me as I've resisted getting sucked into materialism. During my twenties, I really battled with wanting to have more. I can see now that the desire to have more was actually my way of trying to fill the yearnings in my soul that can only be filled by God.

Since then I found contentment through a deep and personal relationship with Jesus.

I learned the hard way that contentment doesn't come from material things. After a long season of financial hardship, my husband started a new career in the medical diagnostics (Biomedical Engineering) field in 2010. We have been on a mountaintop ever since. Being in the valley sure caused us to deeply appreciate the blessings. Going through the hard times taught me that we are given more to help others. God blesses us so we can bless those in need.

I want to spend the rest of my life serving others and living a life of purpose. Those things go hand in hand with simplicity.

In recent months, I discovered some great blogs about simply living. I was amazed at how simple living appears to be popular and maybe even the new normal. I don't feel like an oddball anymore. 

A new book, "Simple Living—thirty days to less stuff and more life" by Lorilee Lippincott was released this week. I truly believe this book could help bring radical change. We need change in America for sure. With high levels of stress from jobs and a hectic pace of life in our society, this book is a great tool for attaining a calm and peaceful lifestyle. The reader is taken step by step through the process of simplifying all aspects of life including not only clutter control, but time management, money management, relationships, social media and more. The book is packed with practical tips, websites, and suggestions for gaining more simplicity. Yet, it is a simple book that is enjoyable to read. Anyone who wants to improve their quality of life, give more to others and make a difference in the world will love this book.

Grab your copy here (PDF or Kindle format) for .99 cents this week. I can promise you'll be glad you did.

Live Abundantly!
Amy  

Disclaimer:  I am honored to be a part of the launch team for, "Simple Living - thirty days to less stuff and more life." I received  a complimentary copy of the book and the opportunity to interact with the other team members. I am not receiving any payment for my participation. And I'm not getting paid for my written reviews. I'm delighted to help Lorilee Lippincott get the message out about living free from clutter.

Dancing in the Rain

Children hold the key to a happy life. They are trusting by nature. They are innocent in their thinking, and they know how to enjoy life to the fullest instinctively.

When my children were younger they loved to go out and play in the rain. I have joyful memories of  their little voices begging me, Mommy, if there's no thunder, can we go out in the rain?

With joy I would stand at the door and watch them jump around and dance in the rain. It was full living at its best as they splashed in the puddles. Sometimes they would dance with umbrellas, or they would make a tent of umbrellas on the driveway. Sometimes they would simply stand in the rain on the edge of the street feeling the rush of water flowing between their toes.

The rain didn’t stop them from simply enjoying the day.

A downpour of rain doesn’t hinder a child’s ability to embrace the moment and fully live.

This is how our Father in heaven wants us to live out our lives. When He created us He never intended for us to endure life. His original idea was for us to see Him in the midst of the rain showers and enjoy life to the fullest.

God knew life wouldn't be perfect or easy. I believe His greatest desire is for us to rely on Him in the midst of the rainy days. When we’re dependent upon Him, He continually pours out His grace and love onto our lives in the most unimaginable ways.

Several years ago while praying, I heard words in my spirit that changed my perspective.

"If you stay on the path with Me, you will not be disappointed." God whispered to my heart.

At first I was thinking, "How can that be possible?" But I soon understood what the Lord was trying to get me to understand. He wanted me to know that if I followed Him and stayed close to His heart in the midst of the things that would normally be disappointing to me, He would turn my mourning into dancing instantaneously. His words have proved to be true in my life. I can honestly say—because I have been so wrapped up in His love—that disappointment has not penetrated my heart during the past several years.

Life is full of difficulties and challenges. But when Jesus is the center of our lives, His love overshadows everything else.

My friend and mentor, Bonnie, had a gift for expressing this truth. She said, "With Christ, there are no disappointments. The challenges in life are HIS-appointments." Bonnie passed away in 2008. Her faith in Christ lives on in my heart. She danced in the rain more than anyone I've ever known. The beautiful life she lived continually spurs me on to dance and live fully alive in every circumstance.

Leaning on our own strength leads to more disappointment. It's when we lean on Jesus that we see His glory.

Why not choose the latter?  Why not take the risk to see His Glory in your life? Choose joy. Choose life. 

When the rains pours down, choose to turn toward Jesus and dance.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. ~ Psalm 30:11 (NAS Bible)

Children of Zion, celebrate! Be glad in your God. He’s giving you a teacher to train you how to live right—Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as He used to do. ~ Joel 2:23 (The Message)

Live Abundantly!

Amy 

This post has been updated and revised from a piece I wrote in August, 2009.