I Wonder What Would Happen If....

...this is the question our church is asking.

In October my brother-in-law was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his pancreas. In December he had major, major surgery. As he and my sister and their kids entered this new place, I knew it would take a lot to get them through this territory, and no one person was going to be able to do it all. Enter the village.

What unfolded over the next several weeks was many, many generous people doing what they could:

• One person said they would care for the dogs;  many hours and sometimes days were spent at the hospital.
• Others picked up the kids to drive them to the hospital to see their dad.
• My mother-in-law sent money to buy my sister lunch at the hospital.
• I created an on-line meal plan with the hopes of providing a month of meals - so many did what they could in this area that filling this schedule was easy and yet provided the very nourishment for the body and soul of my sister's family.
• A friend sat in doctors appointments to take notes while the doctor spoke.
• Our other sister & brother-in-law, who live 1,000 miles away, met the need they could - Jeff flew to town when Tracey returned to work and spent a week providing meals and getting Greg out of the house.
• My brother and sister-in-law took them out for meals, visited and spoke hope into them.
• Many, many people provided financial support.
• Countless people lifted this family in prayers.

My point is this, no one person could have done it all, but together we did it all.

Sometimes as we look around, the need is so great that we can almost feel paralyzed, so we do nothing.  But I wonder what would happen if we were generous with what we have, and simply did what we could?

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is within your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I will give it to you" - when you already have it with you.   Proverbs 3:27-18

And do not forget to do good and to share with others...   Hebrews 13:16

If you have a story about a time when you experienced generosity, please consider sharing it in the comments so we can all be inspired!

• Click herefor the Sonrise Church 40 Days of Wonder Blog to read more stories!
• Click here to read my husband's post (The Science of Wonder) on that blog.
• Click here to read my post (Being Brave Enough to Fear Not) on that blog.
• Click here to check out Take Them a Meal . Com