When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.

When it comes to giving, some people stop at "nothing"

     The title of this story can be viewed in two ways.  One is that when a person is faced with a decision about giving they don't, so they give nothing.  The other is that nothing can stop a person from giving to others.
     After the tragic events of September 11th, (and others eg. earthquake in Haiti, the flood in Louisiana, etc.) we have seen and heard many accounts of selfless giving from the rescue workers, the community, the nation and the world.  These people are wonderful examples of the Good Samaritan attitude and mindset.
     I have also supported the rescue efforts, as well as participated in the unification of America by displaying flags at home and on vehicles I've driven.  Yet, I continue to think about what strikes our "giving" nerve.  Did we stop at nothing for a long time before something clicked?
     A past story title (in a newsletter) was "Giving is not about how much you have."  The meaning of that is "the willingness to give" is about an attitude.  We should not wait until we have enough, then give from our surplus.  There are so many people in need and even though we may think we don't have enough, we can still give something.
     Every time I think "Why God, don't I have enough ______ (time, money, things, etc.)?," I also sense God saying, "Why don't I have enough people who love and care."  Then my "Woe is me" attitude is shattered.
     If I don't love and care, and also give nothing, then I create a separation, which is not what God wants us to do.  God created us to be interdependent, to rely on each other.  We are challenged to reach out to others, but are we willing to do that?
     We are not self-sufficient.  We need others, and most especially we need God.  I have been a giving person in some ways, but not in others.  I continually learn from God's lessons, some are easier than others.
     Sometimes God has to pound in the message, but God doesn't create opportunities for pain and suffering.  God does use such incidents to offer us a chance to get involved.  Then we decide which viewpoint of this story title to apply.