It is Better To Give Than… (Week 2 of Joy Series)

to focus on ourselves!

Summer in the Cowell house lacks any sort of structure. One day, my girls sleep until noon. The next they are up early and working out. We’ve got our responsibilities, but we also choose to swim, shop or mountain hike when they’re done. Each day is full of options; options that usually focus on us.

When one day after another is all about what I want to do today, it is easy for me to get completely wrapped up in self.

What do I need to accomplish?

How can I make this day fun?

I find, though, that the more I chase fun for me and my family…the harder it is to catch it!

Last Tuesday I had a commitment to record Encouragement Cafe with Luann Prater and Suzie Eller in Winston, NC – about an hour and a half from my home. I was all about trying to find a way to maximize this time. So I bribed Madi into going with me; promising a stop at the mall and dinner if she would go along. Unfortunately, I failed to plan right, cutting into the time she had at her favorite store.

Just as she had a pile of clothes and was heading to the dressing room, I glanced at my watch. We had to leave in 15 minutes! The fun, carefree shopping trip was cut short as I literally ran half way through the mall parking lot to retrieve my car. The disappointment on Madi’s face made me feel terrible. I failed as a mom.

As I thought about my efforts to make Madi happy, my mind retrieved a day this summer when she literally glowed. After serving with her youth group in our community for 24 hours straight, Madi came home dirty, tired…and shining. Giving to others gave her true joy, unlike the happiness of finding another sweater at the mall. Taking Jesus’ love to those who feel unloved and forgotten gave Madi a joy that couldn’t be taken from her, unlike her abbreviated mall trip.

Madi got what John the B got in John 3:29b – 30 “…the friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

I couldn’t agree with John more. True joy, the type not based on finding the right boots or outfit, is found when I am giving and making Jesus famous. Have you experienced this joy?

Recall a time when serving others and/or sharing Christ with someone made your day.

What can you change in your life to make these opportunities more frequent in your life and in the lives of your family members? Can you find a way to invest in another today?

One way you can invest in your daughter or a young women in your life is by teaching her God’s word and I have just the resource to help! Sign up to receive the 7 Day Faith Builder! Each day receive straight into your email box a free devotional getting her off to the right start this school year! Just click here to sign up!

Lynn

One Comment

  1. Hi Lynn. I love reading your blog weekly in my inbox. Not sure how I found it, but glad I did! Nominating you for a little blogging award today, check out the details at my blog. You don’t have to participate but it’s kinda fun, and I hope a few of my readers wander your way! http://www.5things.us

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