If you are reading this, I’m assuming (maybe erroneously) that you have internet in your home or you’re on a smartphone. Speaking of phones, I’m assuming yours is a cell as opposed to the ones with the curly cords and probably of the Apple or Android variety. I’m also going to assume (again, I could be wrong) that you have a residence to call your own, a vehicle that gets you from A to B, running water, electricity, food in your fridge, and safety in your surroundings.

If you have the majority of the things I just mentioned, you are wealthier and more fortunate than at least two-thirds of the human race residing on this planet. You are privileged and blessed. I am one of you so please know that I am preaching to the choir here when I say what I’m about to suggest. Beyond your needs, GIVE IT AWAY - time, money, talents, treasures. Are you searching for true joy over temporary happiness? Take inventory of what you have and GIVE. IT. AWAY.

To set the stage, I’ll share a bit of my background so you can understand where I’m coming from. It’s a place grounded in biblical perspective. I’m saved by the grace of God so his Word is my guide in this life. This same grace flows through me so that I am compelled to take compassion on those who have less than I do. In 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, the Apostle Paul wrote to the local church calling them to a lifestyle of benevolence for others - not just for the benefit of the needy but for the benefit of those who give as well - resulting in both a feeling of completeness in their souls and a future hope to be taken care of if they, too, fell on hard times.

Giving without strings attached bears proof that our love is sound and genuine, lacking in selfish motives. Jesus is our perfect example of this. He had it all at his fingertips - status, freedom, perfection, riches. He could have held on to it with total justification, but he didn’t. He loved us too much to leave us stranded so he gave it all away to meet our desperate need for eternal hope. We couldn’t possibly give to this extent, we are simply called to give our excess once our most fundamental needs are met. And, for the record, the amount you have to give doesn’t matter. It’s the heart in which you give it that makes all the difference. If your needs are met, the needs of others should come before your wants. On the flip side, if your needs are not met there is no shame in accepting help. You’ll be fulfilling someone else’s joy. And once you’re on your feet, you’ll have the chance to pay it forward in whatever ways you are able.

I have a front-row seat for some of those who struggle to meet their most basic needs. I have served for a Domestic Violence shelter for the past 8+ years (https://www.stjudehouse.org/), hearing stories, witnessing bruises, and interacting with the women and their children who are longing to stand on their own two feet after they’ve fled the pure hell of their abusive lifestyles. The shelter is a step in the right direction, but it’s only temporary. These survivors need places to live, food, clothing, financial support until they can secure sustainable jobs, childcare, the list goes on. This is the primary reason they often go back to their abusers - it’s not because they want to, it’s because they feel it’s the only way to meet these human necessities.

So my family gives to St. Jude House to support this organization as they help provide for the present and future success of these women and children. We give money, yes, but we do more than that. We’ve volunteered to sort food for the pantry, we’ve put together little goody bags for the kids at Christmas time, I’ve gone in and read to the children, we’ve prayed for them, we share their stories often with our friends, family, and social media asking them to give as well. My daughter and I have even started a Facebook Group called The Kind Kids Academy (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kindkidsacademy/?ref=bookmarks) to encourage overall kindness to combat violence and to educate others about how the violence in these homes directly impacts kids. Could we spend our time and money elsewhere? Sure we could. And we might enjoy that toy or that Netflix binge for a fleeting moment, but it won’t soothe the need in our souls. We’ll be left longing. Service to this specific community, however, gives us completeness in Christ.

I’ve also been enthralled with another mission that I happened upon on a visit to family in Texas. My husband’s aunt took us to a place called Mercy House (https://mercyhouseglobal.org/) where a woman named Kristen Welch created a global outreach as a result of a trip to Kenya. She witnessed how women and their children were living in poverty and her heart couldn’t bear to simply come back home to comfort. She knew she was called to do more and she did. Mercy House equips women in impoverished communities to create Fair Trade products that are sold all over the globe. The money they make allows them to meet their basic needs and keeps them away from terrible situations. My family has bought several items from this organization and the picture below is a woman (with her sweet child) that created some bracelets I purchased for my daughter and me I. Talk about a win/win! Our wrists send a message, our money supports a mission and our hearts contain pure joy.

For those of you who have already experienced this radical type of giving, you know the feeling I’m describing. For those who have not, I strongly urge you to give it a try. It’s a bit like ripping a Band-Aid off. You’ll wince at the pain you think you’ll feel but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s not so bad. In fact, once that covering on your heart is torn away and it has room to breathe in newfound freedom will settle in and it will almost become addicting. You won’t look back, you won’t regret it.

You’ll simply see a purpose for your overabundance and continue to give it away.