I actually thought Wednesdays would be easier for me to find an opportunity to give because I'm generally out and about a lot more on Wednesdays than any other day of the week. It would stand to reason - the more people I see in a day the greater likelihood of finding a need to fill. But after going to Bible Study this morning and NOT seeing the friend for whom I had a bag of hand-me-downs in the trunk, I was a little stumped. Should I visit her at home? Should I run home to grab some of the other donations I have yet to drop off at church? I need to get this checked off my list!
Instead I prayed. I prayed that God would give me an opportunity.
Later, while reading my round of deals blogs this afternoon, I stumbled upon an entry detailing a great deal on pajamas through crazy8.com ($7.99 a set, in case you're interested). I had never heard of crazy8 until I found a 20% off coupon code in one of my magazines just last week - a coupon code I tried to give away to anyone who needed it but received no response. And I have already been searching like a hound for the perfect p.j.'s for our children to open on Christmas Eve. What luck!
I had a little wriggling thought in the back of my mind that someone else might now be able to use that code, but I also really wanted those p.j.'s. So I told myself, "I'll just look. And if I don't see something I like, I'll let someone else have the code." I'll take selfish for a thousand, Alex.
And that darn wriggling thought just wouldn't go away. I'd prayed for a way to give and here it was right in front of me! And even though just sharing one 15-digit code doesn't seem like much by way of giving, it was actually quite the sacrifice for me. To turn down a deal so that someone else might have the chance. Little thing. Big step for me.
Not just giving, but giving despite my own desires - that's what this thing is all about!
I also think it's neat that we're three days into this Challenge and I have yet to give financially. Because that's a big excuse for some people - "I just don't have the money to give." - but money isn't the only resource with which God has blessed us. Sometimes it's our time, sometimes it's our hospitality (even if it's just for animals) and sometimes it's something as silly as a 20% off coupon. God gives us the resource - it's up to us to spend it wisely.
That, to me, is what Steadfast Stewardship is all about.
If you have not joined the 30-Day Giving Challenge, go ahead and jump on board! We're only three days in, and if you're a super-rule-stickler, just count 30 days from here!
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