This morning I had the privilege of speaking to our local Kiwanis club about bookwriting. I shared about the journey of becoming an author. It was fun to look back to how God put this desire in me.
When I was in my 30’s I heard Eddie Smith share, “Don’t die with your book inside you.” We all have a story. Whether we share it with our family or with the world, let your story out – let others learn from your life experience.
My father has always been a generous man. We were not wealthy by American standards, but with what we had we gave. My dad modeled this principle to us.
My dad was generous with his time. He taught Sunday school and led our youth group. He served as an elder at our church. He would visit the shut-ins from church and serve them communion weekly, often times it was before we had lunch on Sundays. He was willing to lend a hand to neighbor or a friend.
My dad was generous with his treasures. Each of us girls learned early on the principle of tithing. The first 10% was God’s – no questions asked. Not only did he tithe, he would give. If someone had a need and he could help, it was theirs. He would even lend to strangers with no expectation but to love.
He was generous with his talents. My dad worked as a manager and business owner. He had mad managing skills. While I didn’t always appreciate his “management” all the time, I learned a lot from him. He was a great overseer. He would assign the tasks, instruct, and then see the project to completion. Even now, he meets weekly with a young boy helping mentor, father, and train up.
I’m grateful that my dad taught us to be generous with our very lives. Whatever God has allowed in our lives is for a purpose. His purpose. Everything is to bring honor and glory to the Lord. When I approached my family about publishing our story with Mom’s dementia, we all agreed if someone could benefit from it we wanted to share it – warts and all.
I was reading in 2 Corinthians 5:15 (TPT) “so that those who live should no longer live self-absorbed lives but lives that are poured out for Him- the One who died for us and now lives again.”
Earlier Paul wrote in verse 9 “So whether we live or die we make it our life’s passion to live our lives pleasing to Him.” And in verse 11 “…..we make it our passion to persuade others to turn to Him.”
Didn’t know my dad was teaching me so much in my daily life. He was living out Paul’s instructions. Don’t be self-absorbed. Live a Poured-Out, Passionate Life of Purpose!
Our passion is to live our lives pleasing to the Lord and pursuading others to turn to Him. What a great personal mission statement!
Let’s be a poured-out, passionate lover of Jesus! Oh, that all of our lives would be spent pursuading others to come to Jesus. That His good pleasure would be our pursuit!
Thanks Dad (& Paul too) for teaching me so well!
