So I stepped out of my comfort zone quite a bit this week. I called a complete stranger and offered to bring her family dinner tonight. It’s mainly fixed (just some Pumpkin Muffins to bake in a few minutes and yes I will be sharing the recipe on here because it’s super yummy) and I leave around 4:30 to take it to her. She just had another baby, is having a difficult recovery, and could use a little love. And she’s so nice. And I’ve only ever spoken to her via phone. once.
Generosity is an interesting thing. It can transform who you are. For me, as a person who follows after faith, it’s a reflection of God’s image. And as you may have guessed, debt seriously hinders your ability to be generous. There’s not a ton that we can give monetarily right now as we climb out of debt. But one of the reasons why we’re even on this journey is because someday we want to give away even more than we’ve paid off in the last couple of years.
Dave Ramsey often repeats the mantra “Live like no one else so someday you can give like no one else.” It’s not easy saying no to our impulses – even when our impulses are giving good gifts the people we love. It’s not easy to eat at home on a regular basis. The drive thru is much quicker and the clean up much simpler. It’s not easy stretching things to last longer rather than just buying something new. It’s not easy not having something that “everyone else” has or that “everyone else’s kids” have. It’s not easy not going on vacation. It’s not easy not going to the movies. It’s not easy brewing my own coffee (although on a day like today in the Queendom you might be able to argue that staying in is a much better option!). It’s not easy to coupon or shop responsible. It’s not easy sticking to a budget at first (or at all sometimes). It’s not easy to go without things. But living like this now means that someday not only will have financial peace in my heart and life but that I get to rock it out super duper generosity style. I cannot wait for that day. My heart longs for it.
For now, I’ve been working ways that I can give without it costing a bundle. There are plenty of free and cheap ways to be generous too – with your time, gifts, education, resources, and more – and I’ll be posting on that in the coming days. But someday, I’m going to give a complete stranger a large sum of money just because they need it and I have it. And it will feel so good.
Be generous this Christmas with what you’ve got. I can bet you have much more than you realize even if you don’t have much.
www.queenoffree.net
I’m headed home momentarily to package up a meal for a new mama friend as well. I was able to cook it with food I had on hand- and in teh crockpot while I was at work, to boot! It’d be easy to say I don’t have enough time (because I’m working) or enough resources to give, but it’s just not true, provided I’m creative.
This year I really wanted to focus more on giving than receiving. As you know we are also committed to being debt free. Instead of getting something else for under the tree for our kiddos, I told my husband that I wanted to give that money to someone who needs it, even if it isn’t much. I was able to save some of my grocercy budget money and get a gift card for a person who could use it.
I too am looking forward to the day where I can “Live like no one else so I can Give Like No One Else!”
It was SO intimidating knocking on her door but the young woman was very appreciative and her baby was squeezable. 🙂
Way to go Lady Joanna! Excuses are easy. Doing the right thing isn’t but doing the right thing is priceless.
Lady Amber you are awesome. Simply awesome.
It was SO intimidating knocking on her door but the young woman was very appreciative and her baby was squeezable. 🙂
Way to go Lady Joanna! Excuses are easy. Doing the right thing isn’t but doing the right thing is priceless.
Lady Amber you are awesome. Simply awesome.