Hard Work?

Someone once commented to me: “Allison, you are so good at everything you do!” To which I responded: “Only because I don’t do the things I’m not good at.”  

I’ve never been good at honing a skill, putting in the time necessary to get better, to improve. If I’m not good at something, I just simply quit. Now, I know that’s not great discipline on my part, but this has been more of a revelation and less of a lifestyle choice. I’ve never shied away from hard work, but I also preferred being able to sightread my piano lessons instead of practice for them. 

As we consider the resources we have and the ways in which we have been gifted, this is one of those times where we get to choose the easier path.  

• What comes easily to you? Maybe it’s chatting with a particular age group, playing music, or tracking finances.  
• What do you most enjoy? Perhaps it’s woodworking, planning games for students, or baking a cake.  
• What do you have in abundance? Time? Energy? Finances? Acreage? 

When we consider what and/or how to give, one of the first places to start is with these questions: what do we already have? What is easy to give? Then, as we become more disciplined, we can choose to give the harder things: things that take time, pull more of our resources, or maybe stretch us a bit. 

Remember, when Jesus talked about those who were giving, it wasn’t about accumulating wealth for oneself or gaining notoriety. It was instead about giving without even realizing it.  

Rev. Allison Yankey