Generosity of Heart Is Hard

“[G]o with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” // Matthew 5:41-42

My eyes glazed over in astonishment at the awful events of the reading from Kings. Hopeful to read a better word in the Gospel, I scrolled down for something good from Jesus.

“When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well” (Matthew 5:39).

“Lord!” I prayed, “I don’t understand. What are You trying to teach me?”

I’m not a Bible scholar; readings like these stir up confusion in my heart.

When Jesus teaches to “turn the other cheek,” I’m not sure what He really wants me to know in 2022.

I pray again, “Lord, what are You revealing to me? Show me Your heart, Jesus.”

Be generous.

Welp, okay, Lord. Surely there is a more theological reading to the Gospel, but as I re-read Jesus’ words, the whisper to my heart continues: “Be generous with your time and your heart. ‘Go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you’” (Matthew 5:41-42).

Generosity is a weak area for me. One of my sons consistently shows me what generosity looks like. He loves to share candy, which may not seem like much. In comparison, when my children ask me for a sandwich, I’m more likely to say, “You can make it for yourself!” rather than love them through the simple act of spreading peanut butter and jam for their lunch.

Yes, the Lord’s message to me is “grow in generosity, dear Gina.” My heart is small and fickle, and He wants it to be more like His, large, warm, and overflowing.

I want that, too. My prayer journal is filled with scribbles and hearts with my longing: “Give me a heart like Yours, Jesus. Teach me to love like You.”

Those whispers to me today are answers to prayer. Generosity is what His Sacred Heart wants for me. Whether the rest of the words become clear to me in the future is yet to be seen, but for now, what matters is the whisper and my response to His invitation.

What is He asking of you? Sit with this Scripture and ponder this today.

What matters is my response to His invitation. // Gina FenstererClick to tweet

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About Gina Fensterer

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Gina Fensterer is a wife of 20 years and mother of six children. She is passionate about finding God in the ordinary moments of her vocation. She loves Adoration, praying with Scripture, long morning walks, and fitness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Read more by her here.