generosity

We’re already into the final month of our four-month sabbatical. Tim and I find ourselves looking both backward and forward a little more... reflecting on all we’ve received during this rather sacred time in our lives, on what we’re yet hoping before the end of the sabbatical, how we want to return with energy and eagerness for what lies ahead.

Many days we have felt overwhelmed by the generosity we have received during these last few months. It is a season of feeling like God is just looking for new ways to bless us, just because we’re His kids. Or just because we asked. Or just because he's the authour of generosity. Life doesn’t always seem like one gift on top of another, but even amidst the unresolved and unanswered stuff, this is definitely a season of experiencing the bottomless and extravagant generosity of God. As parents, we love to provide for our kiddos in ways that delight them. So why does this still surprise us when we are just keep receiving good things from our Heavenly Father?

The other day I found myself thinking back to a small concert I gave with two other musicians, both of whom I had only met online. One traveled from Ottawa to Hamilton with his cello just because I had asked him if he’d like to do a show together. Good night but small turnout. As we were parting ways with our meager earnings – probably not even enough to cover his trip home on the bus – the cellist looked at me with a smile and said, “I came for you, just because you asked.” On the drive home, as I was thinking about those parting words, I sensed the Spirit saying, “If someone you don’t know would do this for you just because you asked, how much more will I do for you if you will just ask me?” It reminds me again of Jesus’ words: “You do not have because you do not ask.” Why is it hard for us to believe that the One who made us and keeps us is just waiting to give us good gifts? I think C.S. Lewis was right when he said, “we are far too easily pleased.”

Okay. You want examples. And I have lots.

For one... the generosity of our church family who sent us out for such an extended time to enjoy rest and study and time with each other and be with the extended Church family. On the days when it feels indulgent to be here – when I feel guilty for all we’re enjoying – I have to remind myself that we are here with their blessing.... and that this is also in preparation for the years ahead. I just read a great quote in which the writer was talking about when we receive great things from God. He said these are “not a reward for work done; they are a prerequisite for carrying out the work.” That resonates with me about this season in our lives. It is in many ways a refueling and revisioning time to prepare us for what comes next.

The day we left North Carolina, 5000 km into our journey, we knew right away that our car needed more major repairs. Grr. By the sound and feel of the car, we weren't sure if we would even make the first 4 hours of our journey to meet with the NC pastor who married us a decade ago. Tim said, "We need a miracle." We got one. Not only did our car make it to our hotel for the night, but the local Subaru dealer took the car in at 7:30 am on Monday morning so we could get to Virginia that night. To top it off, the dear pastor friend that Tim was visiting for the morning insisted that his church pay for our car repairs. What?? As if. Totally spoiled.

If that weren't enought, a friend offered us her long-acquired air miles so we could fly to the west coast where a door seemed to be opening for us for April-May. She even encouraged us to buy an extra seat for Eliana, who could have sat on my lap for six hours for free since she is under two. Can you imagine my little mover and shaker sitting on my lap for six hours? Three return seats was a great gift... four were invaluable!

When we arrived on the Sunshine Coast (after travel by van, plane, train, bus and ferry, which Maia already detailed), someone we didn’t yet know (now a lifelong friend!) picked us up to drive us to our new home. She had two car seats, groceries, dinner, toys and books for us, not to mention the double jogging stroller she had already sent on ahead and the hugely helpful introduction to the area. Oh, and the offer of their family van for excursions when it isn’t convenient to take the bus. As if! Tim said to her, “Carol, you know you’re bordering on crazy.” :)

So about the door that opened to us here on the coast.... This place opened up through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend. Maybe the 'six degrees' theory isn't so far out after all? Ironically, both the home in North Carolina and the home here in BC opened up for us through people we didn’t yet know and churches we hadn't yet connected with. The house we're staying in is often used as a temporary home for many missionaries and pastors on retreat. Isn't that lovely? So now here we are, two blocks from the ocean (and gelato), staying in the home of a sweet lady we’ve not yet met who just wanted to bless us with a free place to stay. (Well, it would have been free if Maia hadn’t found herself locked behind an unlatching bathroom door on our first day in the house. Note to self: when ‘rescue daddy’ kicks open a door to save his ailing princess – as any reasonable daddy would do – it may require a day’s work by a carpenter.) I am still shaking my head as I look out the window here towards this stretch of sea and snow-capped mountains. So grateful.

In just two weeks here, we have seen so much marine life as we’ve walked the boardwalk.... lots of sea lions in the bay, some seals and even a sea otter with a huge fish in its mouth that swam right below us on the pier. With the girls we’ve found hundreds of little crabs under rocks at the beach and watched flocks of oyster catchers and other birds I’ve never seen along the shore. Two days ago, a pair of bald eagles were fishing along the shore right in front of us and then flew into a tree over our heads. Wow. All this seems rather ordinary to most of the locals, but not to us. We are clearly visitors. And unashamedly so. We’re those newbies who gape out the window of the bus as it follows the highway along the coast as everyone else reads their books or sits sleepy-eyed. I hope it never grows old.

Have I mentioned lately that I love being part of the extended family of believers? Funny though.... Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” It’s sometimes hard to be the recipient of such generosity. I’m much more comfortable being on the giving end. I can hear a bunch of you thinking... "Yeah, this is good for you, Mo!" :)

To top it all off, we are going to spend three days next week on a nearby island on a retreat for pastors and spouses. Some good friends from home are even flying out to join us. AND... instead of having to hire a sitter for three days for the girls, my mom is flying out here for a week, partly to help out with the girls. As if. That's a funny story I will tell when I have a little more time and I don't have to get going. My internet cafe time is up!

Love to you all. I hope you have the sweet taste of generosity in your mouth as well -- whether you are giving or receiving. It's sweet.