what really happens when you give.

the longer i live the more i realize that 

you always get more than you give. 

when you fully & willingly give of yourself... that's the end result.

the 'payback' if you want to call it that {but is irrelevant because you're giving without the desire to get in return} doesn't always come back in the form in which you gave, in my experience it rarely does.  but that's the best part.  

whether it's Christmas morning and you've given a thoughtful gift.... the response is usually quite better than you had played out in your head.  

whether it's a friendship, you can give of yourself, give of your time, give of your resources, give of your wisdom, give of your family... when that person exudes gratefulness that is often times gift enough in return.

whether it's a ministry relationship where you're pouring out yourself and sometimes at the point of the pouring you in all honesty feel tired & weary.  Often the return comes later, how growth appears... never overnight, but time tells.  the payback is often the story you see God write with that person's life.  

whether it's with your family.  As a mom it's the constant give, the 'i look like poop, but i've given to my family today every.part.of.my.being....' the payback would never be them doing what i did for them because i have joy in my job.  the payback is in the slobbery, chocolatey kisses on your dryclean only sweater. {hypothetically of course;)} or the 'mom, i'm having so much fun with you.' or the 'mommy, those pancakes you made were weally, weally good {enter thought: i had to force you to eat them child.} i digress.

i have the verse Colossians 3:17 posted at my kitchen sink...it says,

'and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.'  

it reminds me many times throughout the day that if i'm doing things with an eternal perspective, for Him... my whole mind shifts because when i'm thinking clearly i'd rather not choose the temporal rewards.  they're pretty empty in comparison to the amazing joys & surprising rewards God gives when you give freely, lovingly & willingly of yourself with exactly what he gave you to give out.  

I can never out give God.

kg