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Generosity has been on my mind a lot. There seems to be a
tendency, especially in the media, to expect the rich 1% to give their money,
because they have it. When you consider our lives compared to most of the
world, we have it good, too. What can we give up to give to someone struggling?
Beyond money we have so many other things we can give: time,
services, words. And words have been what I’ve been thinking about the most.
It’s so easy to talk bad about someone or criticize, isn’t it? But our world is
full of it. Why not compliment a stranger on an outfit? Or tell a friend that
you are proud of them for something specific? Our world could use more
kindness.
I’ve been trying to make an effort lately, but you know what
stops me? Pride. I don’t want to be embarrassed, or for someone to think I am
saying something for self-serving purposes. It doesn’t matter what other people
think if my heart is in it, and really…it’s just a lousy excuse.
Look for ways to encourage people this week whether they are
strangers, acquaintances or friends.
I am usually a sucker for design blogs, but for a couple of months now I have been reading a blog
written by Casey Wiegand; she has a beautiful soul, full of compassion. God has
used her posts to comfort me and challenge me to have more faith.
At times, when I get caught up in daydreams about a new car,
or the couch that I want for my library I get overwhelmed by the lack of
freelance work I’m getting. I worry about how I’m unable to get nicer things,
forgetting that I have more than I need already.
Casey and her husband have so much faith that God will provide
what they need when they need it, not just for them, but their two beautiful
children. Reading her words has moved me in many ways to be a better person.
I don’t want to give away all of her awesome qualities and
details; you can check that out on her blog
here.
If you don't like "mushy" things...stop reading now. :D
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| Daniel at his Mustache themed birthday party. |
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Last night, as Daniel let himself give in to sleep, I found myself wide awake, captured in thought by an overactive brain. These thoughts were not worrisome, but pleasant...they were about my husband. So, I wanted to brag about him:
- For over a year at the beginning of our marriage, I brought work baggage home, and complained a lot...took out my frustrations on him. He was patient with me all of that time, never pointing out how flawed my response was to a bad work situation. Even now, when I apologize repeatedly for that time in our life, he will shrug it off as if it was nothing.
- When I make up songs as I go about chores, he manages to harmonize with me. I don't know how...it's like he knows what I'm about to sing.
- Only two people express support of my art, and make me feel proud of it, and he consistently does that. As an artist you can be self-conscious, because there is no clear answer, but he gives me confidence and assures me that he is not biased.
- He graciously puts up with my obsessions...and they can change in a matter of hours. One day I can be obsessed with Abbey Lee Kershaw, the next morning babies, a week later Vampire Diaries (it's a guilty pleasure...) and suddenly I could not care less about those, and I'll be all about Blythe Dolls.
- Daniel never pressures me about a conventional job. He supports me completely (more than I do myself) in freelancing. And though he realizes that my imagination is large, he knows I have a grasp on reality and will find something more conventional when we need it.
- He's silly. And releases the silliness in me. And he laughs with me. Instead of giving my a "you're crazy" look, he goes along with it.
Basically, he's the most awesome person I know. And I need to find ways to pay him back for the love, patience and joy he gives me.
There is no haze clouding the reality of how amazing Daniel is!
