Hello, Again, Friends,
I told Dad that I would start to write some devotions to give him some time off on occasion and today felt like a good day to start. He and I were talking in the car on the way to the hospital yesterday about that subject. He had stated that he was having trouble finding anyone else to contribute to the devotions because many felt since they didn’t have any personal experiences with Haiti, they wouldn’t have anything relevant to write.
First of all, I must confess that I have never been to Haiti either. When dad was living in Haiti my sister and I were in our early 20s, in college, and a trip to Haiti sounded expensive, dangerous, and scary. Still does, honestly. Dad’s heart was in line with God’s heart, and still is, in that he deeply cares for the people of Haiti and all of the other adults and children suffering under persecution, hunger, poverty, violence, disease, etc. I too love the people in Haiti, even though I haven’t seen their homes, or held their children in my arms.
This spurred a conversation between Dad and me about generosity. Thank you for the generosity of your financial resources, your prayers, and support for Trinity Hope. It’s OK if you don’t want to go to Haiti, just do SOMETHING! For Someone! Anyone! Use your God given gifts (money, skills, time, resources) to bless someone and spread His love!
So many of God’s words on generosity promise that God will bless us if we bless others:
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5
One of my favorite verses is from Colossians 3:23-24, that reads “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord you are serving.”
Haven’t we all already received an incredible inheritance from the Lord? Receiving is not the motivation to be generous. God is so generous to us. True generosity is motivated by gratitude and love. God gives to us so we can freely give to others!
Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12.
THANK YOU for all that you do for the people of Haiti by sharing your resources with the people of Haiti through Trinity Hope. Be blessed today and celebrate all that God has done for you this Thanksgiving! Then pour out His love and generosity to those around you.
Father in Heaven,
Thank you so much for loving us despite all of our shortcomings. Thank you for blessing the seed that John Hall planted years ago into this beautiful thriving ministry for the children (and their families) in Haiti. Thank you for each and every individual on this devotion chain, for what you are doing in their lives now and what you will continue to do in their lives in the future. Please use us, move us, direct us to spread your love and blessings on those around us in the way that only YOU can do. All these things we pray in your beautiful son, Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Deidre