Cheerfully Giving

“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.”

Proverbs 31:20

When you say your prayers, do you give thanks for the number of opportunities that you have had to help others during the day? Many times, it becomes so second nature to reach out to others in the course of a day that we do not automatically give thanks to God for showing us how and when to help others: an encouraging word, a smile at the right moment, helping with an important task, carrying in a neighbor’s groceries and feeding the hungry. There are plenty of ways we can help other human beings experience life in a much more positive way.

Then I ask, how have you helped yourself today? Have you taken a few minutes to be alone in silence and center yourself? Have you completed some tasks that you've needed to take care of for a while?

We can give more easily when our own needs are met and when we look after ourselves. But we often get so caught up in "making a living" that we don't realize how difficult it is for ourselves to help others. We don't realize how much time we're devoting to work that makes profits for other people.

Life is about helping, isn't it? Reaching out to those who are in need, sharing a smile here, and saying "hello" to connect with others. We do not always know when someone is hurting and in need. So, do not wait to be asked to spread happiness. Everyone wants a cheerful giver.

Recently, I visited someone who has severe memory loss. I was chatting away, and he showed no signs of understanding or hearing me. Every now and then, though, he would reach out and touch my arm and take my hand with a tear in his eye. It was his way of telling me that he could hear me and wanted to connect.

You do not always know when you have been sunshine in someone’s life. And you do not ask for a thank you, but never give up.