Generosity

There are people in this world that are generous, willing to give in an effort to lift another.  I have been in a bit of pain for a while now.  My shoulder has been quite bothered and it is a difficult to handle certain things that have once been so easy.  Things a simply as wrestling with the boys can be an extremely painful event now.  The funny thing is that I have no idea what I did.  There is not a singular event that I can recall when something popped or whatever.  So I've had a bit of pain.  Anyway, I was on the phone with a friend who has been providing some services to the LBH.  He was a chiropractor by trade but had to leave the practice after having a leg amputated.  Following our business conversation I asked if I could discuss a medical issue with him and he agreed.  I told him what I was experiencing and he invited me to come to his home and that he could help me out.  He made it very clear that he could not accept anything for his services.   After work today I stopped by and he provided some treatment to the shoulder, both shoulders in fact.  It has provided some temporary relief and mild soreness.  He invited me back tomorrow evening for some additional treatment.  I am grateful for his generosity.  I really wasn't asking him to do anything rather I was looking for advice from someone who was in the field.  He has a talent however, a skill that he spent time developing and he sees fit to share it at no profit to himself. 

As I think about this matter another dear friend comes to mind.  His was quite a huge gift to our family that included providing surgery on Rachel's knee.  Larry Padgett is an extremely skilled surgeon and he knew we had a need, Rachel had a need and he was willing to give.  I remember how grateful I was for his generosity and the blessing it was for our family.

That willingness to help, that generosity is humbling to me. I wonder, do I have that same level of generosity? Am I willing to give of myself to lift another?  I have two hymns that came to mind as I pondered that question.  Have I done any good in the world today?  The questions asked throughout that hymn can help us examine our lives and account for our day.  The other hymn, Because I Have Been Given Much.  The next part of that song - I too must give.  I love that message.  I hope that I can be more generous with the things I have to offer.