My feeling? With so many options, how do you decide? Two common temptations seem to motivate us: playing it safe and grasping for power. How do we come together, opening our hearts and wallets as well as become a part of this season?
Our county alone has about 350+ nonprofits. Add to those that flood our mailbox regularly asking for donations and we find ourselves in a quandary. I used to find myself in a manageable position. For instance, should a Girl Scout want to sell me cookies, I would buy from the fist girl who approached my desk/door and spoke for herself (i.e. not your mother selling the cookies).
That is small time fundraising for the kids in your neighborhood. What about a larger vision? What about a passion? What about a health issue of a loved one? What about reaching beyond your USA comforts to a 3rd World issues? What about neglected children? What about the life you never expected to be living that means 'life'? What about Russ dealing with his own decline from Parkinson's? What about all those who live with Parkinson's in our county? What about all the phone calls, post cards and emails asking for support?
Am I being petulant when I make a definitive response to this topic? Is it age that helps me to set boundaries on giving? Here are my perimeters"
- we all need to make boundaries
- we all must make decisions to give
- within the boundaries of 'expendable income' we must select needs that meet our passions
- we must know that very few individuals can 'do all' and so what we choose to do should be a passion
- life is not free, share a smile or a word of encouragement every day
This week alone I was asked to attend a fundraiser for Big Sisters-Big Brother, help spearhead a fundraiser for Parkinson's, support Manna Soup Kitchen, feel sad I did not have the expendable income to support our grandson's former high school... and on and on.
With each request for support I ponder how those of us who have defined incomes respond. ALL seem to be the passion of those asking. All are worthy. Each and every request asks us to step beyond our own world to respond to another life.
It sounds cliche perhaps, but at work we are always being reminded that in order to be successful in this life we walk, we must move into a world beyond ourselves giving kindness, empathy, money and hope. Let's all do the deed today...give somehow, in some way and make it about someone else.
In the smallest way I challenge you. It is not the big financial outlay, just a message of love:
At A Day's End by John Hall
Is anybody happier
because you passed their way?
Does anyone remember
that you spoke to them today?
The day is almost over,
and its toiling time is through,
Is there anyone that will utter
a kind word about you?
Can you say tonight in parting,
with the day that's slipping fast,
that you helped a single person
of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing
over what you did or said?
Does the one whose hopes were fading
now with courage look ahead?
Did you win the day or lose it?
Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness,
or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber,
do you think that God will say,
"you have earned one more tomorrow
by the good you did today?"