I have the privilege of serving with many amazing women in ministry. Two friends that I get to lock arms with along the journey are Mary Southerland and Sharon Jaynes. Together, the three of us formed a non-denominational conference/devotional ministry that is purposed to cross generational and racial boundaries to bring the Body of Christ together as believers. Just as God sent Ruth to Naomi and Mary to Elizabeth, God continues to use women to encourage and equip other women in their spiritual journey.

Recently, I wrote a devotion about giving generously. The Bible gave us a beautiful picture of generous living in Acts. "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." (Acts 4:32 NIV)

I asked the GiGs (Girlfriends In God) to contact me with stories of how someone's generosity has impacted their life. Here are a few of my favorites:

FROM CAROL in TEXAS:
When I was a new Christian, my husband, Rob, had to leave town for 7 weeks as he attended an engineering short course at the University of Nevada in Reno. We had never been away from each other like that before, and were dreading the time apart. Half way through our time of separation, one of Rob's Christian co-workers and his wife gave us a round-trip, frequent flyer voucher for Southwest Airlines. They had been saving it for their own family, but met the need of a young couple instead, and gave their free ticket to us. I was blown away with their generosity! I was able to fly to Reno and spend a weekend with Rob that made our time apart so much more bearable. God taught me a lot during that short season in my life; to depend on Him for every detail, how it feels to be humbled by the generosity of someone else, and to look for ways that God is showing me to give to others unconditionally.

FROM LYNNETTE:
When I moved to Ohio 2 years ago, I was working as a waitress in a restaurant that wasn't doing very well. One time I walked out of there with $6 in tips and my hourly wage was $2.30. I was struggling to make a $150 rent payment let alone buy food. One day this lady that I'd met at church, Julie Amstutz, came knocking on my door and in her arms were bags of groceries. It was as if the brightest sun burst through the clouds and shined down on me. Even now, I can't find the words to say how that turned me around. I was sinking into a major depression at the time and I was instantly lifted up and out of that pit. She is now a great friend that I can never thank God enough for.

FROM DEANNA:
I had to hit rock bottom before I looked up to the Lord and accepted Him as My Savior on 5/28/06. My family gave up all the creature comforts moved to another state to stay with my father who was ill. Once we got there, I found he was bound by addiction as well as physical health issues. Needless to say, the search for my fathers love and acceptance didn't work out. We returned to my birth state with no place to go. Most relatives watched me and the two youngest children sleep in the van for several months, without doing anything about it. Shortly thereafter, I contacted with my older brother with some questions about our childhood after not speaking to him for more than two years. Once he found out what we were going through and opened his arms with love. He helped financially; he feed us and gave me a Bible. Shortly thereafter, we did end up staying in cheapest motel in town which just happened to be around the corner from him. He did offer to take us in but pride prevented that from occurring. He kept telling me I was blessed but I was still blind. I ended up going to a church with my cousin and gave my life to Christ the first time I went. I praise God for using my brother as a true vessel to show the unexplainable love of God, The Father. In search of the love of my father, I came to know The Father. Praise God, for my brother and the trials. Now, all three of my children are with me in a fully furnished home and living for God.

FROM MARGARET:
My story is one of being blessed by giving. I am the mother of 3 beautiful children. (Two boys ages 9 and 6, and one girl who is 4) I have always given their clothes away to the Union Mission, or to other kids that were growing into their outgrown sizes. Everytime I clean out their closets it seems that out of nowhere I am being blessed by either people giving me new and or gently used things for them, or I find huge sales where I could get them nice things for small amounts of money. The life changing thing is that I have rarely ever had to buy my children clothes going on now almost 10 years. It may seem small to some, but when you are in need it can be bigger than life. It's amazing how God works, and He has been a tremendous blessing in my family's life. We should never give just to receive, but give with a loving heart, and enjoy God's favor because He loves us so.

FROM DEIINA:
While on visitation with our shut ins I was playing cards with a widow. I believe that I got more of a blessing than she did.

How beautiful is the body of Christ? When we pour into the lives of others, God is honored and blessings come right back to us!

"But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving…For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." I Corinthians 8:7,12