Kelly Cefalu's Blog
Generosity / 10.05.09, 10:03 PM
Last Sunday we were invited to a birthday party for one of our neighbors. It was their son’s 7th birthday and we were excited for the chance to spend time with the family. Not only do all three of their kids attend our afterschool program but Juan was a huge part of fixing our house to make it liveable before we moved in. The smell of barbeque (don’t think southern… think Mexican bbq) drew us in and weather was perfect for a party. Immediately we were being shown around by their youngest daughter who warms our hearts with those big eyes and her cute smile and entertained by their oldest son who makes us laugh with his sense of humor. As the afternoon went on we played soccer, took swings at the pinata, watched the kids swarm as is broke, and enjoyed the company of Juan and his wife along with other friends and family. The whole time we were there I felt more an more blessed by this wonderful family who invited us to celebrate life with them. They fed us an abundant meal that included grilled chicken and beef, home made guacamole, and even grilled cactus (surprisingly good). What struck me most was the way the family shared with us… they gave of themselves and their resources and were so incredibly humble. Meanwhile, I felt like I was constantly having nit-picky conversations about money and being concerned with having enough for myself and my team. We have been blessed by our community and are always eager to receive gifts and blessings, yet how much are we really giving in return? At what point do we stop considering our mere presence a gift to the community and start really becoming equal members of it?
This was my journal entry on Monday. Then Thursday night at our city wide Jeff talked about trusting God and giving even when we feel like we’re at the end of our rope and have nothing to give. It is in those moments when we we feel like we have nothing that God is able to become everything. I am not saying I think we need to spend more money in order to be equal members of our neighborhood, but true community happens when we surrender and recognize that nothing we posess is ours. When we treat our resources, all of them… time, energy, money, stuff, as God’s and use them according to His will and His generosity.
0 Comments
Leave a Comment...
Read more of Kelly Cefalu's Blogs.
