The smallest deed always exceeds the grandest of intentions.
Did you accept the challenge?
I have to admit there were a few days in this last stretch that I was hard-pressed to find convenient ways to give. I know – pathetic. But true, and I want to be real with you. Other days I just grinned as God handed me giving opportunities. Being grateful to give; that’s a good feeling. Here’s how I wrapped up the 30-Day Giving Challenge.
Day 22: The kids and I took some friends out for lunch. My parents took us all out for supper the night before, so this was a bit of a pay it forward give. “We get to eat out two days in a row?!” Unheard of around here. It’s fun to surprise our kids like that sometimes.
Day 23: Purchased a 3-month gift subscription to Stolen Moments Menu Planning for a single-mom friend. I think any busy mom would benefit hugely from this amazing service.
Day 24: Made supper for our neighbor. I’ve mentioned it before, but this is one of my favorite gives. So easy to make a little extra to share when I’m cooking anyway.
Day 25: Gathered BoxTops to donate to our daughter’s school. The rules may have changed, but when I was a student council sponsor each of those BoxTops was worth 10¢ cash for the school. It didn’t take much to gather some free money for special class projects. Super easy way to make a difference with no extra cost.
Day 26: Purchased a candle, supporting a local fundraiser. If you’re not crazy about fundraisers and the stuff that comes with them, but you still want to support the organization, another option is to directly donate the amount of the product. Your donation will actually go farther that way, too, as the group keeps 100% of the money.
Day 27: Donated to Heros at Home when I was at Sears at 4:15 AM purchasing new Asics for only $30! I would have done it anyway, but my heart melted when the cashier said “Thank you. My son is in the military. I know these donations mean so much to them.”
Day 28: Worked my monthly volunteer shift at the local library. This is my absolute favorite regular giving opportunity. One patron visited during my 2 1/2 hour shift (perhaps because I forgot to slide the sign to “open”? Oops!). Peace and quiet and 2 hours of uninterrupted internet time… I think I came out ahead!
Day 29: Made supper for friends visiting from Minnesota.
Day 30: Sent a little gift to a friend who is expecting.
Throughout the month I was struck with random thoughts and emotions about giving. Giving is easy, why don’t I do more of this? Why can’t I think of anything to give? Do I have to give today? Wow, I’ve been given so much! If everyone gave a little more and consumed a little less, what would our world be like? What difference can one person make? I am so blessed! I can not outgive God.
Mostly, I learned to “just do it.” Everyone can give something. We would all do well to think outside the box and give what we can. It will come back to us!
None of us can do anything great on our own, but we can all do a small thing with great love.
~Mother Theresa
Giving doesn’t take much, does it?! Simple giving of time can mean so much.
My favorite giving is of food, too. 
LOL! Go figure!
Just knowing about the challenge encouraged me to give more this month. So, thanks!
We keep a God’s Provision Book, where we list all the tangible things we’ve been given. It’s wonderfully strengthening for our faith, especially when things happen right after we’ve prayed! We make better “wages” praying than doing anything else. : ) I still am floored by some of the ways God has provided for us–students on one choir tour taking up an offering for us, a father who was so grateful his son could be on another of our choir tours that he gave us what came to a month’s wages for us, an almost-never-used pressure canner, etc, etc, etc. You can’t outgive Him!!!
Such a great idea, especially for looking back when we’re discouraged about something. btw — one of your brother’s pigs is at the butcher just for me.
I’m sharing with my brother and sister, though.