By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
We treasure this time of year, the season of giving and receiving. Love seems deeper, and it’s easier to laugh. We more easily excuse those who offend us or make mistakes, and life is just a little brighter. Maybe our improved attitude stems from peace on earth good will to men and our spirit of generosity.
Let’s take a look at an acrostic for G.E.N.E.R.O.U.S. and see what it means to have a benevolent spirit.
Give. Giving to loved ones, friends, and charities provides a blessing to others and ourselves.
Enter. The Bible tells us to enter His courts with Thanksgiving. (Psalm 100:4)
Nurture. When we offer a helping hand to others, we are also nurturing our own ability to assist the needy.
Excite. Those who share their abundance are excited about life. Their outlook is unexplainable and real.
Renew. Our bodies, souls, and minds are renewed when we think of others before ourselves.
Open. Our gifts should come from a grateful and open heart. The gift doesn’t need to have a price tag to be valuable. When we present the work of our hands or the fruit of creativity, recipients are eternally touched.
Unconditional. Nothing ignites the power of love for people than the warmth of unconditional love.
Sing. A joyful heart that gives is a singing heart. Our voices may not be professional quality, but all God wants is our praise.
A generous attitude is not about the money spent but a cheerful heart. When we offer our best with no thought of return, our blessings will be in heaven. And those will far outweigh any gift in this life.
How do you view the meaning of generous?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
Use the 12 days of Christmas theme to entertain patrons during the season. On a budget? Visit the dollar stores for your decorating ideas.
Hurray and Allelu-ehaw. Did not realize I had slipped off your mailing list until this reappearance. Great way to start 2017, Where will you be—when—etc.
Happy Christmas to you and yours.
DiAnn, this is a beautiful and captivating picture to hang in my mind . Giving goes beyond money, and other things we can see with our eyes. It is possible to give without kindness, and generosity ( Scriptures hints that one can give the body to be burned without love) Yet, we are blessed by those who are generous and kind. I know people who have nothing material to give, yet they are generous, and bless me. They portray all that you have described. You have done that DiAnn, and you have just done so again, as you encourage us to cast our nets of thoughts into greater depths.
Hi Frances, thank you for your sweet words. God bless!
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Hi Donita, thank you! Merry Christmas to you!
Just lovely.
Hi Kathleen, thank you!
Our pastor just completed a series on generosity so this really caught my eye. Shared it with him & our church.
Hi LeVelle, thank you so much. I really appreciate the sharing.
I love this DiAnn! Merry Christmas to you! The BEST of God be with you!
Hi Susan, thank you so much!! Merry Christmas to you.