The Generosity of God

It's nearing the end of this 2 week Christmas break with our kids. Our original intention was to spend this time getting to see some people whom we hadn't seen in awhile. Colds and the flu pretty much wasted this noble project.

Our sicknesses forced us to stay in house for a good part of this time. When we did go out, it was just on little excursions in the neighborhood. One benefit and joy of this was getting to know all 3 kids better. Yes, each one did drive us bonkers occasionally. But for the most part, it was fun getting to see and interact with each of their different personalities. I hope that I don't look back in a few years with regret over not having spent the time with the kids that is more available when they are younger and less socially organized outside of the home.

I was reminded a number of times of the generosity of God in spending time with my kids.

When we visited the Porte d'Orée Aquarium last week, we saw the diversity of shapes and colors of different water creatures. There is so much diversity, when God could have made everything the same. I don't think that the variety of colors is primarily functional, but rather a creative God wanting to allow us enjoyment in the diversity.

When watching the Veggie Tale story "The Bad Apple," we watched a bonus feature about a special chocolate store. The lady makng the chocolate proposed that this enjoyable taste shows God's love and generosity.

For Christmas lunch, we spent more than we probably needed to. However, we felt it important to treat our guests well, as they were all single adults of varying ages, as well as our friends. It was fun to be generous toward them and see themenjoy it. I would guess that God gets a similar enjoyment out of seeing us enjoy His blessings and being in relationship with Him.

In December, I especially keep track of our donor statements, which our organization allows us to see through te Internet. Any donations postmarked by December 31 need to be credited for that calendar year. As of the donations receipted as of Friday December 29, we've had a good year, but it doesn't look like the 2006 donations will match those of 2005. We'll know more or less for sure by next week.

2006 has a high expense year, particularly with the birth of our 3rd child in February, my wife's knee injury in July, and our airplane and automobile transport during our summer Home Ministry Assignment. It looks like we will have spent more than what was received as credited support on our donor sttament. Fortunately we have some reserve from last year that helped meet the shortage.

However, we have had lots of donations given directly to us that didn't pass through the organizational books. Some friends and family members gave us cash directly to spent as was needed. We got some clothes for the kids from some families whose kids had outgrown them, as well as from our church's clothes exchanges. One church family gave us a loft bed and desk right when we started seriously looking for one. Dr. Fred gave us all free dental exams and x-rays. A number of friends housed us in their homes during our travels in the U.S. We had 4 young women give of their time to live with us and help at home and with the kids.

Jesus said to not worry about these things, as God is concerned about the birds and clothes and feeds them, and we're worth even more to Him than birds. Rather, we are to see first the Kindgom of God and His righteouness and all these things will be provided for us.

I picture it like wells that God provides. Some wells provide more water than other ones. Some dry up over time. But it's up to God to provide the water that we need. Sometimes it comes from very surprising sources. It would be nice to have it consistent all the time. However, it usually doesn't work like that. This often helps expand faith in seeing and remembering specific ways that God provided