Giving Thanks, and then Giving Yourself

There is a verse in the gospel of Matthew that says "Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds." Mt 16:36. I think that this is an important message for all of us. I believe that it is always important to recognize the blessing we have and show gratitude, especially to God. We can do this by spending time every day with Him whether it be praying, studying the Bible, or just sitting in silence. However, after we recognize what God has gifted us, we should also turn that around and be generous towards others. In fact, Charity is a virtue that means loving God above all things and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Now I know that in order for giving to matter it has to involve something big and a ton of work. That is a good idea, however you don't need to do something huge for it to matter. Here are some small ways that you could make a big difference in someone's life!

1. When you go grocery shopping, buy one or two items to donate.

This one is an easy thing to do and doesn't cost you a ton of money. Let's say you're at the store getting some ingredients to use that day for dinner. As you are walking through the aisles you could find something non-perishable, crackers for example, and donate them to a local food pantry. Or say your baby needs diapers, maybe throw in an extra pack to donate to a local pregnancy center. It also helps if you look for when items are on sale!

2. Be generous with your time.

These days it always seems like everyone is in a hurry and too busy. Just giving your time to somebody means a lot! You could volunteer at a homeless shelter, elementary school, or community events. Spending time with your friends and relatives is another way to be generous with your time. Go on a coffee date with your best friend who you've been putting off or go see your grandparents instead of calling them!

3. Random acts of kindness.

With this one the possibilities are endless. One time I made cards with some kids I was babysitting and we handed them out to people in a nursing home. It was a great experience for the kids and the residents absolutely loved it! You could make brownies for a neighbor, leave a nice note for somebody, or offer to help a friend or neighbor with something. With this one you can be as creative as you wish.

When we love others, we show love to God! So be generous and share that love with others around you! Even a smile or compliment goes a long way. God Bless!