Hello everyone!

Let me just catch you up really quick on what’s been happening.

So, I started working on this post 3 weeks ago; and in that 3 weeks my son was sick with a cold; then I caught it; then my husband caught it. If that were not enough, I injured myself during one of my exercise sessions. I strained the muscles in my shoulders and neck by lifting weights that were obviously too heavy for me. Funny how you don’t feel those types of injuries until days later! I spent last week on anti-inflammatory pain meds and a heating pad. There is still some slight discomfort in my neck, but it feels much better. Thank God!

And on a happier note, I celebrated another birthday! God is good!

Now, let’s get down to business.

Have you ever found yourself feeling exhausted from being generous? Generous with your time; your abilities; even finances. We often wonder if our efforts are worth it. We wonder if we’re appreciated. We may even wonder, ‘what’s in it for me?’

Yet the Scriptures tell us to give; and to give generously. In the book of Luke chapter 6, verse 38, Jesus tells us, “Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

In the book of Galatians, we learn that ‘we reap what we sow.’ (Galatians 6:7) Sowing and reaping applies to all aspects of life. If we sow love, kindness, generosity, we will reap love, kindness, and generosity.

If we sow hatred, violence, cruelty, these things will return to us, as well.

It’s not always easy to be generous with our time, talents, finances. It’s not always easy to show love to everyone we come in contact with– neighbors, co-workers, friends, family. These things are not easy to do; but the effort is always worth it. There is joy in giving. “Let each of us give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7) The book of Proverbs tells us that ‘the generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also himself be watered’. (Proverbs 11:25).

I believe that most of us know how to be generous; how to sow bountifully. I think where we get caught up is when it appears that our efforts are unappreciated; which causes us to feel frustrated, maybe even angry. We start to doubt our efforts.

But here’s the deal: We are responsible for what we put into this world. I have learned that life is one big, giant, boomerang. No matter how far you toss a boomerang, that boomerang is going to come back to you. What we sow in this life will always find its way back to us.

We have to keep doing good.

We have to keep sowing bountifully.

Yes, it can be exhausting; but let’s go back to the book of Galatians — “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9) We are instructed to keep doing good, and not grow tired. We shall reap if we don’t give up. Our savior Christ Jesus will give us strength along the way.

Continue to sow your time, talents, finances, love, words of wisdom and encouragement to everyone you may encounter. That’s part of our job as followers of Christ.

Do not waste time worrying about how people receive your efforts. Our Savior is watching, and He knows if we are sowing bountifully. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. I guarantee it.

Jesus Christ gave His life for us, even when He knew that everyone would not accept Him. Let that resonate for a second. Christ gave His life for all, knowing that some would reject Him.

That is the very essence of sowing bountifully.

Let us not be concerned with how people respond to our efforts.

Let us follow what the Scriptures say, and then we shall have our reward.

Be blessed!