Giving the life you were meant to give

25. February 2008 by BruceSmith.

As I have written about in my book Soul Storm (www.soulstormsite.com), my upbringing was one in which I learned the value of giving.  Despite growing up in a single parent home most of my life, I was surrounded by people whose love and generous spirit taught me a great deal.  My mother, while working non-stop, always found time to keep me signed up and plugged in to any and all sports I wanted to participate in.  And she was there cheering me on as I competed.  At Christmas time, she worked extra hours in order to provide an incredible Christmas for me and my sister.  Even her bonuses at work went to enrich the lives of her kids.  Beyond that, in her home, I always knew I was loved for just showing up.

My grandparents also demonstrated the grace of giving throughout my life.  My fondest memories as a child and teen come from the experiences lived out in my grandparents home.  My Mamaw and Papaw Findley were a continuous fountain of generosity to all of those around them and especially to me.  I remember holiday occasions when my Papaw would fill up a van with gift baskets and drive to another town in order to give out the baskets at a nursing home.  He pulled the whole thing off on his own dime.  On some Christmas holidays he would be standing at the door as people arrived (all Christmas celebrations took place in that home), and he would hand out $100 bills to everyone (and he was not a rich man).

My Mamaw had a seemingly endless source of the gift of giving.  All her life, even up to her death in 2005, was spent caring for others.  As I have written in Soul Storm, even on her death bed her concern was for the good of others around her.  I will never forget as her hours were seeping away, that she took me in her arms as she struggled to breath, and made me and my struggles the focus of her last few hours.  She encouraged me to “hang on” amidst my difficulties even as she was fading out.

I can also recall the influence of authentic Christian men and women in my life who impacted my life beyond measure.  I am still deeply impacted by those who took me into their care and just did life with me as I grew up without a father.  One family particularly, for years, took me skiing with them and paid my way.  Those years were of incalculable importance to me, and remain a benchmark of the giving spirit which drives me today.  I also recall my lifelong friend who has been there for me for each of the big moments and decisions in my life over the last 20 years.  His unwavering encouragement and selfless love have kept me on track during some very trying times.

The most recent tangible expression of the impact of givers in my life manifested itself this past weekend.  Impacted by those who loved me and gave to me beyond measure, I had the opportunity to be the giver this past weekend.  In order for you to understand the significance of the weekend, however, I must rewind the tape more than 20 years.

My Papaw, “Fin” as he was called by his customers, who was general manager of a major luxury car dealership for 30 years, brought me into that business as a child and teenager.  Working at the dealership and seeing all the luxury imports and classic cars was infectous for a teen.  Jaguars were my favorite, but I became a “car guy” in general.  It was in this atmosphere, as a teen without a father, and a mom struggling to provide, that my Papaw stepped up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park.  On my 16th birthday, to my amazement, he presented me with a fully restored, from the ground up, British Racing Green, convertible, two-seater, Triumph Spitfire sports car.  It was a moment I will never forget and one that has stuck with me in a profound way for more than 20 years now.  I have always dreamed of having the ability to give in a similar fashion to my own kids.

And so, this past weekend, my son, my oldest, and the first to drive, was given quite an exciting surprise for his first driver.  I had the sheer pleasure of gifting him with his dream car, a Mustang Coupe.  It is the one car he has always wanted, and the one I told him he would never get for his first car.  It was a thrill to put the whole thing together.  After hours of online “study” on Mustangs, weeks of searching and preparation, and after looking for the perfect color, package, wheels, racing stripes, chrome touches, …the day had come.  On Saturday, he got his first car.  The moment was priceless.  With hands over his face, and bewilderment in his eyes, and with a flushed face, …he freaked out.  As thrilling as it was for him, I am convinced it was more thrilling for me to be the giver.  I have often wondered how my grandfather must have felt when he blessed me as he did over 20 years ago, and now I know.  The saying is true, “It is better to give than to receive.”  I know this.

The point of all of this personal nostalgia today is simply this, you never know the full impact of your willingness to give to others.  There are moments in life where our giving to others defines who and what people will become.  God has called us to be a generous and loving people longing to bless others beyond measure.  As we extend the love of God and the riches of His grace to those around us, we can do so knowing that we are being used of God to prepare them for the future.  We are told that the love of God draws us to repentance.  His love, chiefly expressed in the giving of Jesus Christ, beckons all of us to give without measure or account.

In the days ahead of you this week, reflect on what has been given to you in Christ, and look for opportunities to give to others.  The art of giving is exemplified as we extend the gifts of grace, patience, generosity, forgiveness, healing, help, encouragement, time, money, effort, parenting, and selflessness.  You never lock eyes with another human being who does not matter to God.  As you go about your life this week, may every glance offered, every action taken, and every thought be for the good of others.  Rather than make every exchange about you and how you will benefit, find ways to give to others.  The life you were meant to live is experienced as you attempt to enhance the lives of others.
Grateful,

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »