Find Your Life by Losing It

My heart has been so touched lately by stories I’ve read about in the paper.  (Yes, in the newspaper!  There really is more than the usual gloom and doom state of our country and our world, thank God!)  My heart was stirred as I read about the woman who opened up her ministry, “Just Soup” that feeds the poor and the homeless.  She is obviously a very happy person, filling a desperate need of so many people.

Then today I read about the group of men who call themselves, “Delaware’s Soul Rider’s Auto Club”, who have raised thousands of dollars to buy toys for the renowned Alfred I. DuPont Children’s Hospital. They brought wagons full of new toys for these precious children.  The pictures show lots of smiles on many faces as the toys were delivered.

Then, an article in yesterday’s Sunday USA Weekly was written by the couple whose lives inspired the movie, The Blind Side, challenging people to do something to make a difference in someone else’s life.

What’s the point in mentioning all of this? These people have found the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. It has nothing to do with gathering more stuff for ourselves, but everything with giving away that which we already have..our time, our money, our gifts and talents.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:39, “Who-ever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

The times I have been the most happy and fulfilled are the times when I have been doing something for someone else.  I was so happy to see this list included in yesterday’s article, detailing several very easy and simple things we can all do.  Most of them cost no  money and very little time, but I guarantee, the ‘bang for your buck’ will be huge.  Small investment, huge return.  Look over the list.  Pick one and make time to make it happen this week.  I’d love to hear what you did and what the outcome was.

*Introduce two strangers

*Pay a teen to mow an elderly person’s yard

*Call someone to say thank you

*Talk to someone who looks lonely

*Pay for the next person in line

*Give your old magazines to a hospital  (Love this one!)

*Offer to babysit one night for a friend

*Leave a snack for a co-worker

*Let someone in front of you in line

*Leave your change in the soda machine

*Give a pie to your local firehouse

*Offer directions to someone who looks lost

*If you buy a new gizmo (or piece of clothing, my insert) give one away

*Leave a thank-you note at the police station

*On Oct. 23, participate in Make a Difference Day.

These sound easy enough. Let’s try one!