With eyes bright and a huge smile, my friend told me about a project she was working on that would help spread the Gospel message to countless people. Her face beamed as she shared the different aspects of her project and how she had poured so much of her heart into it. I smiled and thought about today’s First Reading, particularly the verse, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Seeing my friend’s joy made me look at my own life and attitude. I wondered, What kind of giver am I? For the most part I try to be generous, but I’m not going to lie. There have definitely been times when I went down kicking and screaming, rather than with gracious generosity.
However, the closer I try to come to Our Lord, the more my heart is inspired to be a generous giver, whether physically or spiritually. There is still that fear that I won’t have enough . . . . Is there enough money to sponsor that child in need? Or how will I find the time to make a weekly Holy Hour? Or how can I accomplish this task when I feel so ill-qualified?
Yet, time and time again God has proven Saint Paul’s words, "God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
And you know what? He did.
I was able to trim the budget and sponsor that child in Mexico. I rearranged my schedule to make time for that Holy Hour. I stepped out in faith to embark upon God’s task, and He gave me the grace to accomplish it.
God cannot be outdone in generosity so when we feel the nudge to go a little deeper and give a little more, let’s not be afraid to trust that God will give us whatever means or grace we need to make it happen.
Have you considered making a weekly holy hour for a priest or bishop? This apostolate is organizing women to do just that.
Bobbi Rol is a wife, mama and blogger living on the Monterey Bay in CA with her husband, teen daughter, and three rambunctious boys. When she is not dodging light sabers or stepping on Legos, she can be found outside with her family, catching a late night movie, or decorating her planner. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.