The following {timely} words are from Ann Voskamp in her book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.
"'Feed the hungry and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.' (Isaiah 58:10-11)
It's the fundamental, lavish, radical nature of the upside down economy of God.
Empty to fill...
...Our happiness comes not in the having but in the handing over. Give your life away in exchange for many lives, give your blessings to multiply blessings, give away so that many might increase, and do it all for the love of God...bless, pour out, be broken and given...and never fear that there won't be enough to give...there is always enough God...
...Spend the whole of your one wild and beautiful life investing in many lives, and God simply will not be outdone. God extravagantly pays back everything we give away and exactly in the currency that is not of this world but the one that we yearn for: JOY IN HIM."
I have experienced the truth and beauty in this so, so deeply over the past few months. And especially over the past few hours. THANK YOU to those of you who have courageously shared your blessings and your gifts so that others can experience the hope of a future.
I am blown away by your faithfulness, generosity, humility, and love.
May your joy increase...