More From Monica A. Andermann

“It feels good to help others.” Those were the words of my friend Carla as we sat together chatting over a leisurely “girl’s lunch.”

For years, Carla has been battling many personal issues. A devastating automobile collision, four bouts (yes, four) with cancer, and the premature death of her husband has often found her relying on the care and kindness of friends and family. Still, throughout it all, she never missed an opportunity to extend her own helping hand where needed in whatever way she could—big or small. At times, when her health allowed, she provided a ride to the doctor for a friend in need. Other times, the most she could offer was a phone call of encouragement. Regardless of her circumstance, Carla knows she always has something to give. And what she gives always makes a difference.

I can recall a time in my own experience when I felt that what I had to give was less than sufficient. My husband and I had just been married. A week after the wedding, he was relieved from his employment quite unceremoniously—no reason, no warning, and no severance pay. Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away, and I had already committed to donate supplies and help pack meal baskets for community members in need. As I shopped for my own meager Thanksgiving meal, I found that all I could afford to donate were a few cans of cranberry sauce. Sheepishly, I handed them to the woman in charge, mumbling an apology.

“Don’t apologize,” she remarked as she dropped the cans into the few remaining baskets. “Cranberry sauce completes the meal. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce.”

Today’s devotion starts out with Peter’s words, “Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have give I thee.” Sometimes all we have to give is two mites like the widow; other times, it’s a few cans of cranberry sauce. Still other times, it’s a ride to an appointment, a card, a prayer, or a phone call. Yet, we all have something to give. May you give freely as God directs you. It’s sure to make a world of difference.

“In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35-36, NRSV).