March 31, 2009

Easter Basket Giveaway WINNER

Congrats, Kirwin! She's the winner of Resurrection Eggs! Kirwin has a lovely blog @ Graceful Creative where she's putting the Generosity Experiment into practice with her own kids.

She wrote: "I've been intending to start practicing random acts of kindness with my kids this year, and it's taken me this long to get started. Anyhow, inspired by these eggs, my children and I are going to put together 2 Easter baskets filled with pre-packaged candies and treats (read: tamper-safe). Then, we're going to go sit on a bench near our house, where many families take walks. Each of my children (hence the 2 baskets) will get to give their basket to anybody on the trail that they want to. It will be up to them and totally random. I am so excited!"

She also turned me on to a new blog by Christy @ Falling Around All Apart Me. I'm seeing a pattern, how about you? I'm loving that giving and generosity are in the forefront of others' minds, too!

March 25, 2009

The Best Way to Deal with Hard Times

They've surrounded me and most of those that I love.
I haven't lost my job, but I've prayed for downsizing and interviews.
I haven't lost my child or had my spouse diagnosed with cancer, but my heart still aches and tears flow.
I haven't had trouble selling a home in this sick economy, but I drive by them every day.

I want to be a pig-tailed child in knee-high socks, running away with tiny fingers shoved in my ears, eyes tightly shut (opening barely as not to smack into a wall), singing the Smurf theme song in only 'La's' at the highest decibel. Then Choice stops me cold.

Mouth gaping, I realize I can't escape Choice. I've made one already, but here it is again. One question Choice speaks, yanking my tiny fingers away from my ears, "How will you deal with the hard times in your life?"

My initial response. . . is not chili, but it helped some during the Depression. The Hard Times Cafe is proof of that and given more credit than the Red Cross by some. Interesting comfort, but not lasting.

And even if I thought longer, I wouldn't change a much loved part of my wardrobe, having to spend more money. But this is obviously newsworthy and makes women feel taller in stature. I sense a Wonder Woman moment coming.

My honest gut. . . screaming "It's not fair!"

Wait for it. . . . .

Then, I would have a feeling of guilt and my self talk would kick in. "Others have it worse than I do. I need to do something nice for one of them." This is a RANDOM act of kindness.

Not what God calls us to do, unfortunately.

Out of the most severe trial, my overflowing joy and extreme poverty should cause generosity to well up inside of me with such richness that I overflow to ALL. (2 Corinthians 8:2 my version) Not something I naturally do, but what I am called to do. If I choose to ignore the hard times in my life then there is no real opportunity for generosity.


I guess I need to get my fingers out of my ears to hear these words of truth.
I want to overflow.

Easter Basket Giveaway

It was 1985. I lay in my canopy bed the night before Easter hoping to hear hopping through the flower beds for the delivery of my beautiful Easter basket. I never seemed to stay awake long enough with the lights out to nab the rascally rabbit.

On my closet doorknob, waiting in the dark, was my light blue sailor dress, with a large collar and bow front, and a white cardigan with fake pearl buttons. My outfit was ready for me to slip on, buckle my white patin shoes and head to the big white church on the hill.

Do you remember the days of waking up on Easter morning to a tall, colored wicker basket, plastic green grass, primary colored plastic eggs, and a hollow chocolate bunny that looked better than it tasted? I sure do. Those were sweet memories. As an adult, I miss those days.

Besides those closest to you, who do you know that needs an Easter basket? What opportunity have you been given to show the true Easter spirit to an underprivileged child in your kiddos' school, a widow in your community, or maybe a friend that's lost their job and hoping that they can pay their food bill for Easter lunch?

Get creative and you could win a set of Resurrection Eggs!

To be entered, just leave a comment sharing who you're giving an Easter basket to this year and why. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 30th.

March 24, 2009

Lent: Cupcakes or Jesus?

I've had cravings for a non-fat chai tea lattee with no whip on a chilly spring morning, a piece of dark chocolate that resides in my pantry and calls my name at random times during the night (even though dark chocolate is my hubbie's fave and not mine), or a cupcake. . . moist with lots of homemade frosting. But I haven't been craving Jesus.

I must confess, I've never given up anything for Lent. This will be a new kind of generosity for me. But this year I felt a tug at my heart to sacrfice the sugar and sweets in my life. I consider myself a healthy individual. . . some friends might even think I'm an 'Organic Granola Girl,' but sugar and sweets were becoming a daily occurance. Actually, a meal-y occurance.

I willingly went into this 40 day period before Easter hoping to prepare myself for my Risen King. I had BIG plans that every time I would have a craving for something sweet or given the opportunity to 'cheat' I would turn to Jesus, focus, and pray. I had high hopes that this Easter would be more meaningful than years before.

The first week was easy. I felt like God was strengthenging me for the challenge. Then an amazing thing started to happen. . . all of my clothes were fitting loser. It's a Lent Miracle! This is where I got distracted and made the experience about me. Summer shorts here I come!

When on a diet, I start to plan for the event when I can cheat (I'm sure you can't relate!) - that would be Easter lunch with my family. I've already been planning what I'll eat for dessert. Out of desperation I'll bring my own decadent dish, maybe more than one, since relying on others to bring what I'm craving might leave me frustrated and not able to truly celebrate. Of course I'm thinking of the rest of my family with this generous gift.

That's when the Holy Spirit got my attention: "What's your focus, cupcakes or Jesus?"

With Easter only a few weeks away, I began to ask myself: What am I praying for? The cravings to go away or Jesus to purify my body and soul so I can truly recognize His resurrection and the eternal life He gave me? Where is my focus? Storing up chocolate eggs and counting the days 'til feasting or the ultimate sacrfice that Jesus made for me?

I've learned a few things through this brief journey - my small sacrifice allows me to give my focus and attention, it's not about me and what I give or give up, and Jesus is splendid, has no equal, and no substitutes.

It's been a sweeter time than I expected, even without the cupcakes.

March 23, 2009

Raising Generous Kids

A Blissdom buddy of mine, We Are THAT Family, does an amazing job instilling generosity into her kids' lives. So, I asked her to share. . .


I have 614 plastic Easter eggs sitting in my living room. Candy and tiny trinkets sit nearby. My kids keep peeking in the top of the box.

They are very excited about our upcoming egg-stuffing party!

I'm excited about the leftover jelly beans.

Every month we sit down as a family and plan a day of giving (One Day to Give started here).

This month we are preparing hundreds of eggs for our Russian friends from The Persecuted Church. They are doing a local outreach to the large population of Russian-speaking Texans. (Explaining Easter egg hunts to Russians is very fun, by the way.)

We decided to forego our YMCA membership nearly a year ago to free up some money for moments of generosity, just like this.

Last month we stuffed a basket full of goodies for a new Mom who was alone at the hospital with her sick baby. The month before, we fed homeless people chicken biscuits. It's not just about giving monetarily, our one day of giving is about showing others generosity, like raking our neighbor's yard or writing encouraging notes and hiding them in public places.

I want to raise kids who love giving, who consider others before themselves, who give freely and abundantly, who are noble and gracious. Here's what I've learned about raising generous kids:

Lead by example
As a Mom, I am constantly teaching my kids, even when I forget, they are watching and learning from me. I can hardly expect generous children when I am stingy with my tip at a restaurant or greedy with my compliments. My kids notice when I pick up trash from my neighbor's yard and take a pie to someone in need. If I want them to be generous, I have to lead them.

Look for giving opportunities
Generosity is more than just giving money. It's a generosity of spirit, a largeness bigger than one person. My kids don't really understand the value of money yet, so teaching them about giving must be taught thru actions. We choose one day a month and agree upon an action. If you open your heart to the idea of giving, there are needs all around you. My kids look forward to this day!

Let God lead you
God is so generous, He gave His Son. He is an extravagant giver and wants us to be the same. In these difficult economic times, I think it's even more crucial we show our kids that we have faith in God. He will provide. Since we started habitually and methodically giving, every need and many wants have been met. I contribute this entirely to God's principal that you can't out-give God. Go ahead, put Him to the test. You will love the results!

March 10, 2009

When You're Smilin'

When your smilin' the whole world smiles with you. Is that true?

I'm going to do a little test this week and smile at everyone I pass by, just to see what happens.

You might ask. . .

What about the people you work with?
Smile every time you pass them by in the hall or in a mtg.

What about the driver next to you at the stoplight?
Turn and smile. (And laugh if you caught him picking his nose!)

What about your spouse and kids?
Smile as you live together. Smile as you love them.

What about dealing with a frustating sitution after a long day?
Smile as you talk.

What about strangers in a crowded Walmart aisle?
Smile. Don't ram them with your cart.

What if they don't smile back?
What if they're ridiculously rude?
What if they ignore me, or worse yet start to stare?

Before you come up with more excuses why not to flash your pearly whites and have a twinkle in your eye, you should ask yourself one more question. What if you couldn't smile? Watch this.

March 02, 2009

Would You Read This?

That's what I've been wondering. . . would you read this? I can't seem to imagine that you would, so I've been putting it off. I figured nothing would really be missed if I wasn't writing it. (Truly, this isn't a pity party or a hint for a compliment, but honest emotion.)


During the Christmas season, I can understand a few people reading it, but after the first of the year does anyone think about giving? And now with the economy, world events, and the panic that is in the hearts of most of the world about our jobs, mortgage payments, and trying to not buy as many Starbucks per week . . .I don't know, I just made assumptions. That's my first excuse.


The other is fear. I've had a clinched fist. I'll admit it. I was afraid of what maintaining a generous spirit would cost me. I honestly didn't want to give of my time . . . but more importantly, I didn't want to keep 'giving' on the front of my mind. I didn't want to be 100% sold out with my stuff, my money, my home, my car. . . you know the goods. I enjoy giving and find so much pleasure in it, but to give sacrificially or to completely rely on God that He will provide beyond what I can give. It's tough.


Don't get me wrong, this little experiment that God had me do for the month of December was amazingly refreshing to my spirit and worth every minute (and penny!). So, what in the world was wrong with me?


After much prayer and soul searching, the question that kept coming to my mind was, "Why not?!" If it was so wonderful and life changing for the first 25 days, why not enjoy making it a lifestyle? (I can feel more of myself dying. . . ouch.)


Writing The Generosity Experiment would mean I would have to look for opportunities that God is giving me to be generous and then follow through with it. It's hard to do that every day, but it's what I'm asked to do. Take the focus off of myself and LOVE. Gulp.


I'm taking the leap. Are you brave enough to read it and be changed?