Being generous is like lighting a spark in someone else’s life
- The Rev. Scott Stoner
The word generous derives from the same root as the words that mean “to give birth.”
At a time when the church is traveling to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph, full with child, awaiting new life to come in its own time; contemplating the generative nature of love seems right.
Pause for a moment, look back on something you would call a life accomplishment. Just pick one. And center on it. Wonder about all the generous acts of people that supported you to achieve this in your life.
To recognize that your success in life is utterly dependent upon the small and not so small generosities of others is humbling. Most of the time these gesture are small like a spark. The person has no awareness that their act of listening, or encouraging would have a memorable impact on you. Yet their generosity ignited just what was needed in you to move forward.
I am often at the crossroads of generosity, witnessing parishioners actively generous in a million unique ways. Like a conduit the church is a place to connect to the divine flow of generosity.
When people give in any generous way, whether it be our attitude, a check, or simply listening to someone, we are giving to something much larger than an individual. It might be our daughter, or an organization, or a neighbor, or a co-worker who receives our generosity but truly we are hoping to join what God is already doing.
The mystery of giving is that we receive.
We may never know fully what our little spark of generosity ignited. And perhaps that is best. For all of our giving is a tiny part of God’s loving plan in us and through us for the redemption of the world begun in Jesus Christ.
With You on the Journey.
