When doing something for another,
no matter how small,
have you noticed new energy,
that you're not tired at all?
There's such joy and activity
to our everyday living,
when forgetting about "us"
gives way to "let me be giving".
Jesus says, "Give, and it shall
be given unto you",*
and because he said it,
we know it must be true.
Not that wanting to get
is the proper motivation,
but oh does unselfed giving
bring us much invigoration.
For boredom and the blahs,
it's a remedy sure-fire.
Among the good that comes,
we don't so easily tire.
We end up achieving more
than we thought we could,
when we get down to doing
what Jesus says we should.
Life has much more meaning,
events more zip and zing.
We just can't help ourselves;
our hearts begin to sing.
To go forth this day
less focused on self,
showing more Christlike love,
getting good deeds off the shelf,
expressing one small kindness,
(can kindness ever be small?)
can do wonders for someone else,
cause that person to stand tall,
give him not only renewed hope,
but save the life of another,
by inspiring him in his turn
to reach out to a needy brother.
Yes, the world is going to be helped
when we leave ourselves out.
Our God has infinite means
of bringing this about.
Living to give--not get--
will do a lot for me and you.
It will make our days happier,
and a lot more energetic, too.
(*Luke 6:38)
(c) By: Sharon Slaton Howell
