Photo credit: Flicker Creative Commons
Come along with me and meet a friend I’m thankful for – one who makes me think. Her name is Amy Sullivan, and her first question sets my mind awhirl. At the top of her blog is the query, “What consumes you?”
Amy asks in her sidebar, “What fills your head when you have a couple minutes of precious silence in the car? What is the first thing you think about in the quiet of the morning? If you are like me, life demands your attention, and the idea of others is often an afterthought. Sick of the me, mine, must- have-mentality, I’ve decided to blog about my family’s journey toward GRACIOUS GIVING.”
See what I mean? She makes you think! And that’s a good thing. Stay a minute and eavesdrop on our conversation, and then read what Amy has written just for outnumbered moms.
Amy, tell us about your family.
I’ve been married to my biggest encourager, travel buddy, and frozen-pizza-devouring husband for twelve years. Together we have two girls who are so sweet their veins actually pulse with honey instead of blood. True fact, sort of.
What’s your passion?
God, giving, and writing. Yes, in that order. Although at times I forget the order and stick one in front of the other, not good.
Why did you begin blogging?
Almost a year ago, I had a post Christmas experience that shook my world, and made me realize how consumed I was with just about everything EXCEPT God and giving. Not knowing what to do with the weight I felt under, I came up with a small way for our family to serve locally. However, when I filled my family in on my grand serving idea, my husband was only mildly interested, and my daughter’s response was “But I don’t even know any poor people!” Life in the Sullivan household needed to change and change in a big way. I knew I wasn’t alone in my struggle to move away from self-centeredness. There had to be other moms who felt that life and material objects were filling the hole that only God was meant to fill. I thought by blogging I could connect with others fighting the battle against consumption, and maybe learn a little about myself along the way. This past May I hit that little “publish post” button for the first time.
When I asked Amy what she’d like to say to moms who visit my blog, this is what she sent me. What a heart!
Two Easy Steps to Growing a Giving Heart
Dear Moms,
I know you are exhausted and worn out from the routine of it all. You may be feeling as if you cannot possibly clean up one more mess, find another lost Polly Pocket shoe, cart a child to practice, or pour out more of yourself.
Your days are filled. Your hands are juggling, and you are tired. You don’t have time for yourself. You certainly don’t have time for others.
The world is telling you to buy more and eat there and have you seen those new shoes? The world is screaming take care of yourself first, make those home improvements, and is that the car you really drive?
You don’t have time to chair that board or start a nonprofit or do all the big ideas that are floating around your head. So instead, you sit and wait for something to fit your schedule or fit your life. You wait for something more convenient.
You wait and you miss out.
But here’s the thing. You don’t have to miss out. You can get involved today.
Right now, in those snowman pajamas without any make-up. Right now, without even leaving the room. Yes, even you can start growing your giving heart.
How?
Step 1: Pray for that cause that spins around your head at night. That’s it. Find your cause (come on now, you know what bothers you - human trafficking, poverty, AIDS, the homeless…). Now pray for that ONE cause.
Step 2: Repeat step one daily.
See, giving takes on many forms, but the first step to meaningful giving is always prayer, and prayer is something you can start right now.
So get to it. Start growing that giving heart of yours.
Go visit Amy! As you cultivate gratitude this November, you’re preparing the ground for a giving crop. Once we begin to realize our blessings, our hearts warm to sharing them with others.
What one thing can you – and your family – do to grow a giving heart?
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