Generosity is a wonderful gift. To have a big heart is a blessing, that is to be open and compassionate in love to the needs of others. Generosity is contagious and beneficial. Fact.
The more we give the more we receive. Generosity is measured in our ability to engage and be present to the needs of others.
It is also very important to be generous to ourselves. The more I care for myself the greater I can care for others.
How much does a prayer weigh?
Annabelle, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.
She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.
She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store.
Visualizing the family needs, she said: “Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.”
John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two.
The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.
The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, “Do you have a grocery list?”
Louise replied, “Yes sir.” “OK,” he said, “put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.”
Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.
The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, “I can’t believe it.”
The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.
The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.
Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer which said:
“Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.”
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a €50 note to the grocer and said, “It was worth every penny of it.”
It was some time later that the grocer discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.
I Place My Trust In You – Lord
Lord, You are the God of peace and love in Whom I place my trust –give me a peaceful heart that rests in You and a loving spirit that pours fourth Your love to others.
Lord, You are the God of comfort and rest in Whom I put my hope – give me a heart that abides in You so that Your comfort may stream through me to others who need comfort and strength.
Lord, You are the God of hope and joy in Whom I stand secure – give me a spirit of devotion that worships only You so that I may be a worthy witness that points to Jesus – for in Him is all peace and love and comfort and rest and hope and joy and love – and I trust You Lord,
Amen
SEE ALSO – Portlaoise school celebrates two Science Olympiads
