The next writing prompt in “God Is My Happy Place” is

“You have so much to give! How do you participate in your community so others can see your light?”

I didn’t want this to just be a list of things I volunteer for, which would probably be boring anyway. It also seemed to me like I might be bragging, so I thought I would write about the attitude behind giving.

Giving can be anything, whether that be money, time, items that someone needs, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. It can be so many things.

The next two verses talk about what attitude we should have when giving.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 NKJV

Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].  2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP

I’ll be the first to admit that my heart isn’t always in it and love is not always in the equation. I do give and volunteer, but sometimes, it is because of what I believe is expected of me to do & I want to live up to expectations. So I do give under compulsion at times. I have also not given due to anxiety/fear.

However, there are also times when my heart is in it & I give from a place of love and compassion.

I do not have a perfect attitude and I know I need some work in this area. Yet, comparing myself to others that I find more generous than myself is not a good thing either. I just end up beating myself up when I do that.

The attitude I want to have is that of giving out of love and compassion to show God’s love to others. Also not worrying about whether others are giving more/less than I am. If I am following the verses above and doing what God is leading me to do, then that is enough.

Blessings to you all! God is not done with us yet! 😀