Giving changes us all.

  • by Lee Ann Miller
  • November 12, 2012
  • 329
                        
Summary: Giving messes with us. Not only does giving change the person receiving, it also has surprising lessons for the gift giver. Story: The first car we gave away was Christmas 2008. I remember that first year as if were yesterday. I’ve learned so much through this process and remain encouraged at the generosity I have experienced in people. Win a Car for Christmas 2012 is on its way! Giving is an interesting thing. I didn’t go into the Car Giveaway project thinking I would experience some of the things I have. I was arrogant enough in my giving that I thought I was doing something great for someone and they were benefiting from ME giving my talents, time and treasure. Wow, I have learned some humbling lessons. First of all, God will get done what He sees necessary with or without me. If I’m on board and willing, well, He’ll use me. But ultimately, God is the doer and the One who has final authority and control, after all He created all things within a week. If you are thinking that things in life are only getting done because of you, I encourage you to search your heart for pride. Pride is an ugly beast and it will steal lovely things from your life and the lives of those you influence. And, pride is sneaky and can be dressed up as service, so be careful. Secondly, I could be in the same spot as many of the people we interview, illness, death of a partner or child, and tragedy can happen to anyone. Those entries that express those challenges and hardships are the ones we look for. This car giveaway is not for the college student who wishes they had a car or the hard working husband who is driving an old model vehicle that runs well. This gift of a car is not a raffle or lottery. This program is meant for people who are experiencing a hardship so great that a vehicle would help make an enormous difference in their life. This car is for an individual in desperate need of transportation. That first year, we gave away 2 cars. Both to single Moms, both to families that had physical challenges that made day-to-day life so very difficult. The cars they won helped them with surgeries, therapy and regular physician visits. These cars still help these women do life. And both of those women displayed such courage and tenacity, I cried the whole way home from their interviews. I cried for myself, for my selfishness, for ignoring some of the needs in my very own community. I cried because I complain sometimes about dumb things and I cried because I was seeing weakness and need in my own life. Bottom line, I cried because I was experiencing how giving changes us all. The sweet woman who won the car in 2011 also made an imprint on me. One of the people who nominated her was from out of town and expressed how much this woman made a difference in her life 20 years ago. My lesson: investing in people can change the course and direction of their life. This lady was shown love and acceptance 20 years ago by the woman she nominated. Never underestimate the power and value of love. As the Win a Car for Christmas gets closer, be thinking of someone you may know who desperately needs a car. Someone who is experiencing tragedy and hardship in such a way that a vehicle could help lift them from their place of desperation. Keep an eye on this paper, coming soon there will be a story and instructions on how to go about submitting yourself or someone you know to Win a Car for Christmas this 2012. Stik a Fork into destroying pride and living the art of giving.


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