Generosity

I want to be a person know for her generosity. This stems from a variety of impulses. For one, generosity is a trait that is in short supply in my generation, and in society today. It is so easy to act out of my own self-importance or selfishness, but that's not how I want to be. Generosity is an act of character, and represents a life overflowing. To be generous is to remind myself that I am not a world unto myself, but I am an actor in a community. To be generous is sometimes an act of sacrifice, proof of love for others.
Even in writing that paragraph, I see aspects of my personality. "Gifts" is a love-language that I enjoy operating in. I don't want to give the appearance of being materialistic, so this is an area that I have suppressed for a long time. But it's true! I want my friends and family to know that I was thinking about them as I traveled, or when I saw something at a store that I think they would love. I appreciate when someone does the same for me, though I don't expect gifts. I also have "connectedness" as one of my top 5 strengths in the Strengthsfinder realm. So of course I would see myself as a part of the bigger picture, that we're all connected and rely on one another.
I also used to life off other people's generosity. I've been on at least 7 mission trips that relied heavily on support raising. As a Starbucks barista, I used my paycheck to cover basic necessities, and used my tips as food and fun money for the week. As a result, I try to give good tips in restaurants, even if the service isn't great.
I am now a single, employed adult in my late 20's. I have no kids to care for, no mortgage to pay, and a decent, steady income. I have margins in my life - extra space that can be carved out to serve others, do things I'd always wanted but lacked the time, money, or vacation days, or learn to just BE. Why not use my free time to volunteer for a cause I care about, or offer to watch a friend's kids while she runs errands? Why not use my steady paycheck to show up at a friend's yardsale with a bag of bagels and a gallon of coffee in hand? Or actually purchase something cute I notice at Target for my friend who would love it? Or regularly support my local public radio station? I'm still not so great at the budgeting thing, but I do know that I have room to be generous.
Spiritually, generosity is not a fruit of the Spirit, per se. I do believe that it is a byproduct of love and kindness. I want to love others well by blessing them with things that I have been blessed with. I want to show kindness to my sick roommate by bringing her chicken noodle soup, a box of nyquil, and a silly redbox movie to kill the time with. I believe I am sowing into the ministry of my friends who are missionaries by giving them monthly support. God has been good to me, and I have no right to hoard the things I only have because of His generosity to me.

And that's who I want to be: a woman known for her generosity, because God has been generous to her.

Update:
My pastor, Megan, spoke on generosity in church tonight. She spoke on Luke 3, where John the Baptist spoke to the Pharisees and tax collectors and others who came to him to be baptized. His message to them was essentially, "Just be generous, be honest, be fair." If you have 2 coats, give one up. If you have extra food, shared it. Your. Rees are met, so help out those whose needs are not met. I haven't said much about church, yet, but hearing this tonight was kind of a nice little confirmation for me.

Back in the Saddle, Starting Today!

It's time to get back in the saddle. After finishing grad school, it was nice not to be required to write, so I didn't write at all. Plus, I work on a computer 40 hrs a week; I didn't want to even turn my personal computer on! My personal journal hasn't seen much activity, either! Now, nearly 2 years later, it's time to start practicing something I claim to be good at. Not amazing, mind you, but not terrible, either. If I want to be able to tell my boss I'm a good writer, I know I need to keep working at it. So in this area, among several others that I shelved for a while, it's time to get back in the saddle.

As a means of commitment, whether or not I have any readers at all, I'm laying out here a few things I want to tackle in the coming weeks and months. Writing helps me to process my own thoughts, as well as document my experiences, so here's what I plan to blog about:
1. Stewardship - including tithing, generosity (today!), and areas beyond finances
2. My 30-Before-30 list - items already accomplished as well as what's next
3. Church. I'm still not sure where this one is going, but I committed months ago to thinking more deeply about it, so it's time I start. Eeek. 
4. General life goings-on - new position at work, LOVING Southern California still, and learning (still!) the slower rhythms of life as an adult 

Join me if you dare.