“Go break the needy sweet charity’s bread
For giving is loving,” the Angel said.
“And must I keep giving again and again?”
My angry and pitiless answer ran.
“Oh, no,” said the Angel–piercing me through–
“Just give till the Master stops giving to you.”
~Selected, 742 Heart-Warming Poems
/~/
We so freely receive but struggle to freely give. We’re often like reservoirs, holding in all the grace and gifts, instead of rivers, letting it all flow through us to others. We accept the bountiful measures of grace lavished on us but dish out only scant teaspoons–if even that much–to others.
What if we would remember that we only have to give until God–the One we’re imitating, after all–stops giving to us? Would that perhaps affect our attitude and generosity and intentionality? (It should.)