Lucky Penny

August 18th, 2010 by admin

Now, I know there shouldn’t be any talking when the preacher is preaching, but my mother started talking to me in church. I’m not sure if there was anyone else in that little white church building at that moment, but my mom said to me, “God has given you everything… He wants you to be a giver back. When you hold things too tight, God cannot give you anything else because your hands are closed.” I’m not sure if she sang it or spoke it, but she told me that, “Love is like a lucky penny, hold it tight and you won’t have any. Give it away and you’ll have plenty. You’ll end up having more.”

I wish I could have dropped every single penny to the ground. It might not sound like much of a story, but it was a colossal shaping for a young boy like me. It changed my story.

I’ll never forget that moment in church. By the grace of my mom, I was given a chance to give more of my plunder to the offering after church. I was also given an orange piece of Fruit Stripe gum. I think I ended up with the whole pack, because no one else in my family likes it. Because of that day, I want to always remember to give. Every time I give with an open hand, God gives me more than ever before.

Let’s be givers. Not because we get back… Let’s give because we were made to be givers.

Peace.

Johno~

CONTEST ALERT!

So here’s the deal… are you living with closed fists or open hands? It’s time for you and I to share what gifts God has given us.

The contest I’m offering is this: you tell me what gifts God has given you and how you can share them and I’ll add your name in the drawing bucket. If you win, you’ll get two prizes. One for you and another you can use for a giveaway on your blog or just give it to a friend.

THE PRIZE – TWO (2) original unframed, signed photographs from my recent trip to Uganda.

Here’s what to do:

Leave a comment in this post with your “name” and “your gift/talent” that you would share and I’ll add your name to the bucket. Comment as much as you like, but only one comment will be selected with your name. If you would like a double shot at winning, then send one of your friends over here to leave a comment. If they win they just might share with you the second prize. If you would really like one more “extra” shot at getting your name in the hat, join me on twitter. lightexposure. If you’ve already hooked up with me on twitter, then retweet this post and I’ll throw your name in one more time.

I hope this is clear, but if it’s not, shoot me an email.

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This is a great post Johno. How often we get in the way of our selves using our gifts because we treat them as that, our gifts. God sees everything differently he gives to us for the benefit of his kingdom. I will receive what God has given really only when I use it to his glory and the benefit of His Kingdom. Thanks for these thoughts and sharing your story.
Patricia

After thinking about this for a while I have come up with lots of things that I think are gifts that God has given me. One is to be blunt……now in real life this may often come off as unthoughtful. But as a counselor, mom, friend and sister it is often the best thing. God has often allowed me to say things that hit it just right, other times my mouth gets in the way………. The thoughts of how gifts can direct and change a life. God is glorified when my mouth speaks His words. It is hard for me to think of all the good things about myself, (feels like bragging) but I have really enjoyed this today and have been blessed by the prompt!
Nir Alon

Poetry…
Brendaglindsey

I have been told by “others” that I am encouraging. On your “I'm illegitimate” blog I wrote that a spiritual mentor has said something to me about thirty years ago that has me striving to live up to his expectations of me. He is a very godly man and he told me that the name “Barnabas” met son of encouragement, and that the name “Brenda” should mean daughter of encouragement. It's not only that he thought I was an encouraging person, but the compliment came from him… because he said it, it meant more. He was sincere.
patty

Thanks for sharing this story. It spoke to me on many levels. I honestly try to hold my gifts–whatever they may be–loosely so they may flow through my fingers to bless others. Often, though, I find myself squeezing those fingers back together, trying to hold in whatever I am supposed to let go of. Time? That's a tough one to let flow. What if I'm not using it wisely? What if I squander it? Money? What if there's not enough left for my family?

For today, though, I'll say that the “gift” I am not sharing is my love for our missionaries. I feel sometimes like people will think I'm a broken record. “Give to missions. Support our missionaries. Love our missionaries. Remember the people on the other side of the world.” Maybe God wants me to keep repeating myself. I can never say too many times, “Give. Love. Support. Remember.”