The Giving Island

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The last time I read the Shel Silverstein book The Giving Tree it was to a group of young campers out at Mustang Island Family Camp (dwtx.org for more info.) It is a beautiful story that reminds me of God's creative and abundant love. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. The giving tree is just that: she gives and gives supplying for the needs of the boy as he grows to be an old man. It's a story of grace.

Homes for Displaced Marlins Celebration
I've learned a lot about grace in the past two years. Our church recently dedicated a new stained glass window to the volunteers who came to our aid after the hurricane. It is symbolized by one hand reaching up from a turbulent sea, and many hands reaching down symbolizing those who reached out to us from nearby and far away. Although we are still on the journey toward our new normal after the storm, we have made amazing progress. I volunteered on the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Katrina, and on the East Texas Coast after Ike, and it does indeed seem like we've made remarkable progress in relatively short time.

We have been changed and shaped by the grace shown to us by volunteers and by funds donated to help in the recovery efforts. It was a real blessing to be able to raise funds to support the recovery efforts in Nebraska following their flooding. Having been the recipients of generosity, we were ready to get back to giving to others in need. Of course, we already knew about the importance of giving before the hurricane.

One of many gifts from Sandfest
I am amazed each year to see how much money is freely given away in this Port Aransas community. The scholarships for our High School graduates, the funds raised and given to our teachers through Port Aransas Education Foundation, the hundreds-of-thousands given away by Sandfest to local organizations, and the financial support our businesses give to support sports and other youth activities. This community knows about giving; and many of us have been the grateful recipients of such grace.

In the book of Acts, we can read of something like this and learn that the early "Followers of the Way" pooling their resources through the young church so that the needs of all are met. Today we can still experience God's joy, and participate in God's work when we freely give our funds, aid, and time to one another. It is a model of abundance rather than scarcity and competition. That's not to say wise planning isn't important as well; but when we plan and give to others generously, we help make God's kingdom more present in the life of our community.

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