Daily Devotion

by Karen Eller

GENEROSITY IS OURS TO OFFER

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines generosity as “a willingness to give, help, or support, especially more than is usual or expected”.  Just reading these words produces a sense of wonder about generosity.  First it causes one to reflect on where does it come from? To which we might readily reply “it comes from the heart” and then we quickly reflect on where we might most often see it.

For me, the answer to the second query is easy.  We see it at Good Shepherd.  We see it in the long lines of Good Shepherd’s people standing at tables in the Fellowship hall packing food to be distributed to those who might otherwise go hungry.  We see it when we listen to the Taft Elementary volunteers who express their joy at the results of the attention they have paid to youngsters whose families simply cannot give them much.  We hear it when we listen to our Habitat for Humanity volunteers who come close to tears when they reflect on the marvel of having provided a home for those whose financial means would not otherwise provide that blessing.  Some of our members have seen it up close and personal when the CFAM Bereavement Team lovingly provided a reception after the funeral of a loved one; and we marvel at the thousands of dollars donated to Hoops for Haiti by members who have only heard about the abject poverty suffered by Haitians.

So, it is much a part of Good Shepherd, but where does generosity ultimately come from? Where have we seen it in glorious full force before?  We only need to open our Bibles to reread and ponder the most amazing story ever told…that of Christ suffering and dying on the cross on our behalf to redeem us and bring us to the glorious salvation God promises us as a result of that astonishing gift of atonement for our sins.  Happily, we acknowledge this gift each time we confirm our heartfelt belief thru the words of the Apostles Creed citing “the forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.” 

With all of that grace given to us freely by our Lord, it is not difficult to see how a willing and generous response on our part emerges …an open-hearted sense of “giving more than is usual or expected” is ours to cherish and use as we go forward.