Daily Devotion

One of the Fruit of the Spirit is generosity.  Sprinkled throughout these days of challenging news about the spread of the Coronavirus, tanking economies and living in isolation, are stories of generosity and how we are caring for each other.  Some stories of generosity are large, affecting hundreds of lives, some are small affecting the lives of a few.  However, they are all stories that help lift our spirits and perhaps inspire us to our own acts of generosity in these challenging days.  I want to share two such stories with you today.

The first story was shared by a friend in Wisconsin about a woman there who was out shopping for supplies for the homeless shelter where she works.  She showed up at the checkout not realizing that even though she was shopping for a non-profit, she would still have to follow the restrictions on purchasing paper products.  She soon learned that she had exceeded the purchasing limit on several items that the shelter was in desperate need of, and was about to be turned away by the cashier.  This is what happened next, in her own words:

“Then something amazing happened. The people around me overheard me explain to the clerk that it was for the shelter and that I understood that we must limit so others can have what they need as well. BOTH lines on either side of me as well as people in my checkout line took one pack of each thing I had over the limit, and purchased them for me. I waited with tears in my eyes as more and more people started taking these things off the conveyor belt, purchasing them, and putting them in my cart before they walked out the door....giving to the shelter without any hesitation.”

That story moved me because it showed a community willing to step in and care for the most vulnerable among them, even at a time when it is tempting to only look out for themselves.

The second story comes from our very own church—and it involves YOU!  It seems more often than not I am the one sorting GSLC’s mail these days, and every time I do, I am moved when I see your offerings included in the stack.  Even though we are not able to meet together, and we are experiencing challenging times in our economy, you are still faithfully supporting our ministry together.  Your faithful giving is a testimony to your trust in God’s abundance and your hope for our shared mission. These offerings mean we can continue to support our staff and our ministry partners in the community.  THANK YOU for “stepping in” with your generous gifts.    God is good—and so are you!

Reflection questions: 

Where have you witnessed moments of generosity these days?  How have you been “nudged” to be generous?  How does generosity connect with your faith?

Pastor Heidi Johns

2 comments on article "Daily Devotion"

Doug Montgomery

It certainly great to hear of the generosity that exists and is displayed may ways. It makes people aware and creative to what they may consider . I look back on the very generous lady member who passed and left an amount to the church to be used for the future . For me the church staff months ago gave everyone an envelope to place the generous donation in our hands to place it in very well appreciated hands.

3/26/2020 1:43 PM

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Marsha mcnamarw

Loved the story. I have been calling friends and reading the devotions to them. A very bright spot in the day for us. Thanks

3/26/2020 3:17 PM

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