Giving
Recently, I witnessed someone declare that they loved this one person so much they would die for them. The declaration was meant to be an attestation of the level of unrequited adoration felt for the one who was the object of his love. As I pondered that somewhat romantic but nonetheless misguided attestation, I responded with the assertion that the greatest gift one can give another is a healthy and well-balanced self. We seem to be so preoccupied with the “feelings” of love (the fantasy of what it would be like to be loved by this ideal person before me) that we lose sight of the “act” of love, which is looking out for the best interest of the other. But how can the other’s best interest be pursued without one’s own strength and stamina being at its best? If one is not emotionally, physically, and even spiritually fit, one is not a position to give but is rather in need of taking. Taking is sometimes an act of love as well, but if we were all full-time takers, who would be left to give? I’m reminded of the scriptural assertion that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” To give, one must be in a position to do so. Therefore, it seems reasonable that one strive to maintain a healthy balance in all of one’s life as a fountain from which may flow the gifts of love. I see keeping myself as physically, emotionally, and spiritually fit as I have capacity to achieve as being the most loving gift I can give to God who calls me to love Him by loving others. May I live each day in acts of love that honor the One who has afforded the gift of health.
(From a previous post in 2015)
The street was cluttered with rickshaws, bicycles, and cars that were trying to navigate the passage to their destination that morning in what was then known as Bombay, India. The smell of diesel fumes and incense wafted into the taxi transporting the snugly secured Ahsha (my daughter) fastened around my neck and chest. We had witnessed the flurry of humanity that approached taxis with hands outstretched for any bit of change. It was not uncommon to see young mothers baring breasts with baby in tow in a gesture implying no milk for the hungry. I had seen a couple of folks in New York on the subway who made a profession of panhandling, but this was far more heart wrenching. On an earlier taxi ride the driver had warned against giving even a penny lest the taxi be surrounded quickly by those looking to receive just a pittance. Suddenly, a young man approached the window that was opened only slightly that December morning in 1987. His hands were missing fingers eaten away by the ravage of leprosy. I was moved almost to tears as I reached in my pocket and handed him through the tiny opening a ten rupee bill, the smallest denomination I had on me at the time. It was less than one dollar, but the taxi driver burst into a shout of admonition; “That man has never seen that much money before!” I responded; “I’ve never seen a leper before, so I guess we’re even.” The taxi driver was not amused, but took us safely to our destination. We are so often concerned with our own agendas that we can miss the opportunity to respond to the heart’s tug toward the need of others. A possible blessing from giving is the receipt of thankfulness at the ability to give. No gift is too small to be grand. A smile toward a worried soul could be the spark that ignites a moment of inspiration.