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sherryrossman

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sherryrossman

Tag Archives: generosity

Drum Your Best For Him

12 Tuesday Dec 2017

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beauty, Christmas, family, generosity, giving, love, meaningful gifts, shopping

Here are some of my favorite things, Drummer Boy style, because I just came in from the crowd and all the “stuff,” and for once, I’d like all of us to go back to that starry night and ask what good gifts we can bring to our King. By this I mean, how do we reflect his character in our giving? A few examples from the Givers in my life:

Miss Baker # 2: My little daughter hand-stitched this monkey for me after I told her the story of how I had lost my beloved Miss Baker on show and tell day when I was in elementary school. What is the root of this gift? LOVE.


My chandelier t-shirt: I found it at Goodwill while stocking my daughter up on books. Whoever donated it knew it was still in good shape, had good taste in unique fashion, and took the time to give it rather than toss it. Sometimes, all a person has to give is what they already own, and I’m not too proud to wear a second-hand shirt. The root of this gift was GENEROSITY.


My SpiderMan bookmark: My son, knowing how much I love to read, made this for me out of what he loved and treasured most—Spiderman gear and his new writing skills. He was learning how to write, and one of the first sentences he wrote without the prompting of a teacher or parent was, “Mome I lu yoo .” LOVE.


My black-pearl engagement ring: A beloved gift from my husband who was wise enough not to run out and buy this artist a gaudy “status ring.” Knowing our tastes were drastically different, he let me show him what I liked. Just something blue and lovely. LOVE and THOUGHTFULNESS.


The family desk: Passed down from a time far, far away, because it was built to last. GOOD CRAFTMANSHIP.


Encouraging words: from a few of my High School teachers who saw what I couldn’t see. I couldn’t touch the words, re-sell them or throw them away, because like the miracles that come from faith, they made a permanent impact.

 

(Here is a wonderful way to give, from the heart of a country that has too much stuff.)

Our best gifts to give come from the character of our King within us.

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A Bouquet For You

28 Monday Nov 2016

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beauty, blessing others, generosity, gifts, giving, thanks, writing

The day after Thanksgiving, two tired men dropped five large bags of flowers behind my desk at work.

“We didn’t have many takers for these,” they said, departing for their flower shop as quickly as they had come.

The sight of those bags, those colorful blooms, illuminated the eyes of many. “Flowers for the taking,” I called over the radio, and to people passing by.rose

A retiree held up a wilted bouquet, and ran her fingers over the petals. “They’re on their last leg, just like me. I’ll take these.”

One ninety-something resident said she was the only one around who never received flowers from a loved one. She took two bouquets, smiling thanks-crinkles next to the shines of her eyes.

A few co-workers gathered some flowers for ailing aunts and wives…most took a bouquet for the chance to look at something lovely for a day or two.

One generous act blossomed into many, providing me with a little magic to work in that day. Giving is a great place to find God if He seems far away this Monday.

Finding the Bicycle Man

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

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cultural attitudes, generosity, our overindulged culture, the bicycle man

I felt my jaw tense and wanted to snap at the girl who told me that my daughter’s dentist appointment was made for the office in the neighboring town, not the one I was standing in.

“Let me see if I can get your daughter’s chart transferred from the Prescott office to this one.”

I managed a smile and was glad that she was willing to fix their mistake. Hers? Mine? Should I be getting mad yet?

“We’ve never been to the Prescott office.”

I plucked my son from their Seuss-like walls, changed his pull-up and watched Chloe flit from corner to corner – waiting – before we were ushered into an exam room.

“Were your daughter’s x-ray’s done at the Prescott office? I can’t find them here.”
Jaw tightens again. No wonder I have TMJ.

“We’ve never been to the Prescott office.” Do they think I’m cheating on them with the Prescott office?

We made it through with clean teeth and no cavities – and an attitude adjustment. I don’t want to be that jerk who points the blame at all who inconvenience me.100_1225

I want to be the Bicycle man.

The bicycle man never had a bike as a child. He never got to soar around his neighborhood like a child who firsts feels a breeze kiss their face and blows miles of joy into their hair, as they discover the speed of delight.
So instead of blaming his parents, the town’s leaders and eventually the country, he focused on the lessons of his own depravity.
He grew up, filled his garage with old bikes he collected and fixed, and shared them with his neighborhood.
A steady stream of children lined up to sign out a bike for the day, learning to say “please” and “thank you” from the man who gave all of his free time and fun money to others. They also received lessons on bike repair, the older kids fixing the bikes of little ones. (Check out this link)

He doesn’t let the fear of lawsuits stop him. He doesn’t expect the children to pay for his generosity. He just gives his all that he has – and never had.

I foresee heavenly mansions in his future.

Me. Me. Me. That’s what we have learned from our overindulged culture. This is the sound of the piper, calling for our children to follow behind before they realize the fate that awaits them.
No. It’s time to learn from the bicycle man. Miles under feet shouldn’t be from walking over each other, but bearing the fruit of generosity.

Thoughts on current cultural attitudes? Have you found ways to teach your children the value of generosity? Let us know in the comments.

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