Blessed to be a blessing

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

As both a runner and a race director, I know the joy that participating in running events brings to the people who run or walk in them. You can just see it in their faces when they cross the finish line--something that brings a smile to my face as well. So when I saw the response to a post I put out Friday advertising our upcoming Leapfrog 5k race, I was saddened to see what one prior participant wrote, "I wish I had the money to walk it again this year but I don't. Sorry." "Oh my," I immediately thought to myself. "I'm going to send her a promo code for a free entry. Lack of money won't keep her from running when I have the power to help." But guess what? Before I had the time to put my thought into action, I received this message, "I want to pay for Katiee Knight's entry into Frog Hill. How do I do that?" And after giving Rachel (Katiee's friend who stepped in to help after also seeing her response) instructions and then asking her permission to share this story, Rachel said, "Yes you may blog on this. God is definitely blessing me so I want to help others." Do you just love this story or what? 

But you know, that’s what God does... He blesses those who love Him and follow Him by generously providing them with "all" they need. And not only does God bless them with what they need but, as this story shows, blesses them beyond what they need so that they will have "plenty left over to share with others." The exact thing Rachel did. Rachel was more than happy to share what she had because she knows without a doubt that everything she has comes from God to be used for God--which is the very reason she didn't hesitate to bless Katiee. But guess what? If you ask Rachel, you’ll hear her say that she was the one who was truly blessed. 

So if you want to bless someone today, and I hope that you do, look for ways that you can share with others what God has given you generously my friend. And while that might be money, it could also be the gift of your time and/or your talents. Whatever it is, give as readily and plentifully as the Lord has given you and watch the blessings abound to both you and the recipient.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being faithful to provide for all our needs. Help us to be good stewards of all that we have Lord that we would both honor You as the Giver of all good things and bless others out of the abundance that we will declare is from You. May You receive all the glory. It’s in your precious name we pray. Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!