I have awesome friends. God has richly blessed me with godly, fun, and kind friends. There is one person in my life that I truly admire. She's been such a good friend to me, she's helped me and guided me. She's always taken the time to sit down and talk to me. She cares for me and truly wants me to succeed. This friend of mine, I believe, shows everything a friend should be, and I thank God for bringing her into my life. Just recently, we've started a bible study together. We're reading through the book by Randy Alcorn titled, "The Treasure Principle". We went through chapter 2 last week. As we read, we talked about the joy of giving. Being gracious and thoughtful, and the Joy that follows when we give to God and to those who are in need. As we talked and thought about this concept, she gave ways that we could give, how we could be helpful to those around us, to notice others' needs and to act out by giving to those needy ones. Listening to her talk about giving, and how joyful it can make us, inspired me. It made me want to give, it urged me to show kindness to those people I might not know that well, or just to those who are in need. I couldn't wait to show kindness to someone, right away! I couldn't help but smile. And the first people I thought of was my parents. I love my parents. I love my family! My Dad works two jobs, and my mom also works two jobs. They're struggling just to get by. And it seems like they're always away, I often feel alone, I miss my parents sometimes. And, our car just quit on us a few weeks ago, just decided to give up. My Mom was worried, and so was my Dad. I hate to see my parents hurting. I hate it. I wanted to help them, in any way I could. So, I cashed my check, while most of it went to things that needed to be payed and stuffs, I had 20 dollars left over to do whatever I pleased with it. Usually, when I have extra cash, I spend it on myself, I buy a new sweater, or dress. But right away, I knew what I wanted to do with it. I went to my Mom, and I gave her the 20 dollars in my hand. It really wasn't much, but it was all that I had, so I gave. And I was filled with Joy, compounding joy!!I felt so happy that I could contribute to my parents' happiness in a little way.
My friend, and our bible study book inspired me greatly, urging me to give and to give cheerfully. And that's what I did. And I'm SO glad I did. :D
