Give

This morning we heard about giving. It was brought to us in an unusual way, highlighting the sailors who rowed hard to try to get to shore instead of rightaways tossing Jonah overboard. They tried to help Jonah, giving their all to try to get everyone safely to shore. The question was asked- what are you giving? An example was brought about Christmas gifts. Sometimes you see something for the person who's name you have pulled and the price is higher than the price limit you have agreed on. But you buy it. That's giving. Going above and beyond. Not begrudgingly. But wanting to. What are you giving? What am I giving?? 

 Of course the first thing that comes to mind is Gallup. When I left I felt like I was giving 6 months of time time to help some needy kids. When I was done those 6 months I didn't feel like I had given so much of my time but I felt like I gained love and knowledge and inspiration. From those darling kids. From my new friends. From my 6 months in a different life.  
 During Christmas we as a youth do a lot of singing to old folks. And other people. One evening I was definitely tired of singing the same songs over and over again. I gave myself and went anyways. I watched them sing along with us. I smiled at a few. Later I went around shaking hands and one man thanked me for the smile I had given him earlier. I was taken aback. I've been going to sing at this place every few weeks for a few years now. I watched this particular man recover from something, graduate from listening to us awkwardly from a cot to being able to come in a wheelchair. And he took my smile and returned it and later thanked me for it. He gave it back to me, with joy.

  I met someone in the store the other day. This is on the opposite side, I didn't give first. I don't go to the same church as this lady. She's my friends' aunt but our paths cross once maybe twice a year, usually in a crowded church foyer. But his lady recognized me in the store and came over to tall to me. She called me by name and asked me about Gallup and when I had got home and that sort of stuff. Why should she care about me? I barely know her. But that's who she is. She gives. And the people getting what she's giving, in this case me, feel special because of it 
To me giving is getting. I don't necessarily think about it when I do small things like smiling at people but I think about what I get. Like a simple thank you. It made my day.

The Interesting Part Must Be Over

 Does anyone check this blog anymore? You probably do not care anymore because it will all be normal stuff about a normal girl. The interesting part is over. Short but sweet. Boom. Done. Bye