The Taflingers: Hands and Feet of Jesus

I have no words that can explain or express how I have seen Jesus in the community around us. I know as Christ followers we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I have see this through His body of believers during different seasons of our life, and we have strived to do the same. However, I don't remember seeing it so clearly in action. The past few months we have clearly see this in the way of generosity of the body of Christ.

Generosity is defined as the act of freely giving or sharing money and/or other VALUABLE things. Providing more than the amount that is needed or normal; abundant or ample. Showing kindness or concern for others.

God's word tell speaks often about generosity. Here are just a few examples:
"Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers" Galations 6:10

" Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13

As believers we are called to be a light for Him and if we truly live this way then we will be generous people. I think many people think of money when they think of generousity. Yes, that is one way we could be generous, we can give away what the Lord has blessed us with to bless others for His glory. There are times in life when people are struggling financially and it may not be wise for them the be extra generous with their money, but that doesn't mean they can't continue to live a life of generosity. Generosity is defined as being generous with VALUABLE things. Time is very valuable, everyone has life that goes on, their family, their hobbies. So many people in our church community have been generous with their time. They put a pause button on their agenda to think about us, check in, pray, encourage and intentionally speak life into ours. Generosity is given through conversation, when others generously lift others up, and intentionally go out of the way to do so. We have also seen the body of Christ demonstrate generosity through their resources, personal energy by helping us, and their heart. A few years ago I read on of my favorite books called "Love Does"by Bob Goff. Bob says, "Don't save up love like you are trying to retire on it, give it away like you are made of it" Bob Goff

I have experienced generosity so many times in my life in many different ways. Mostly from those who are in my family or who are very close to our family. Maybe generosity is more expected or understood from those who are that close to you. I am very grateful to have had these experiences! In all honesty many times I have struggled much of the time to receive generosity from those who maybe aren't in my family. I was raised to be independent and to do things on my own, so receiving generosity is an area that I am growing in. Lately, I have asked myself why I haven't experienced generosity a this level in the past. I think it is different now as we are in a community of people who we have only know for a year and half. A community that truly loves the Lord and strives to serve Him in all areas of their life. This community that God has provided us blows me away. It continually overwhelms me and brings me to tears of joy. It really is a community, each person bringing their own gifts and talents to the table to work together as a body of Christ. It is beautiful, and the amount of time they know each other doesn't matter when it comes to the way the live out generosity.

This community was intune to some of our families tangible, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs the past few months, and they worked together to help to meet them in very unexpected ways and it was from the kindness of their own hearts without expecting anything in return. Some were even generous without allowing us to know who they were.

Here are just a few examples of how we have seen generosity in action:
- just because gift to lift our spirits when our close friends moved away.
- sweet notes, texts, emails, and conversations.
- a family spontaneously showed up to help fix our goat fencing .
- a family excited about caring for our animals while were were in CA visiting family without expecting anything in return.
- warm meal delivered upon our return home from our CA trip.
- groceries delivered when we had our foster kiddos
- a beautiful Christmas card with a $100 cash in it, and no signature or return address.
- goody basket from our church family thanking us for our commitment to the youth ministry.
- invite to a special event, that is all paid for.
-financial gifts when Joshua's hours were cut at work.
- continued Equestrian PE for our kiddos asking nothing in return

This is truly how I believe God intends life to be. He desires that we live life together in such a way that we are thinking of others, and that we wouldn't hold onto "our" Valuable things/time/energy with such tight grip. We are called to be His hands and feet. All of what we have is because of HIM but often times we hold onto it so tight as if it is our and to be used only for our desires..the truth is that their is so much joy in loving generously when it comes from your heart. It is also important to receive with Joy, and to not turn away the generosity being given. I am still learning this, but when we turn away the generosity we are stealing a blessing from the giver.

This idea is so counter cultural. People work hard to make money to enjoy it for themselves. The other day we were at the library and Jeremiah said "Mommy it is so nice that the library shares their books with us". It is so true! Wow, we are at the library weekly. We are so grateful for the ability to check out books. They bless us so much. He went on to say, "Mommy why does the Library just give us duck food to feed the ducks at the lake? Why don't we have to pay?". Again this is something that blesses us so much. Every Thursday when we are at the library we get to get duck food and walk behind the library to the lake to feed the ducks. It's something we look forward to every week, moments that we cherish. I don't really know they why behind the free duck food, but I like to think that the library manger is generous and finds joy in providing children and families with the opportunity to feed and enjoys the ducks at the lake. It's interesting that our 6 year old questions why they would just give it to us. Yes, we do teach our treasures that we need to work hard for the things that we want, and that we need to save our money if we want to buy or pay for extra special things, but we also teach them that one reason we work hard and save is so that we too can give!

We Praise the Lord that we are surrounded by a community of believers that lets God lead their life, and that they are obedient when He prompts them to be generous.!