The day before Thanksgiving break

I was buying my fourth cup of coffee of the day at GBC when, at the checkout line, the guy across from me was fumbling through his wallet to find some cash. He was a student, scruffy and tired-looking. I stood there patiently, eyeballing his sandwich, Odwalla, chips, and candy. A minute passed and it was obvious that he had no money. The cashier suggested he go over to the ATM, but his response was that he didn't have a debit card.

At that moment, I said to guy, "Don't worry about it, I'll cover this." His mouth dropped open and he stared at me. "Are you serious?" was his response. "Yeah. Really." I gave my card to the cashier and she swiped the purchase. "Are you serious?" he said again. I was kind of surprised he was in such disbelief. "Don't worry about it." I gave him a reassuring smile. "Thanks!" he said. I take my card, receipt, 90-cent cup of coffee and say, "Have a happy Thanksgiving," as I leave.

Why is it that it was so easy for me to love this stranger, when it is often hard for me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ?

I admit that I have been jaded in the weeks past. I usually save my non-resident meal points so I can eat with my small group on Fridays and even swipe multiple other people in. I was so happy to give in the beginning, but have lost that joy, along with half of my points. The meal points themselves aren't of great importance, but the spirit of my giving has totally changed. It has become so routine, and people come to expect something from me without saying anything at all.

I no longer hear "Thanks!" when I give something, but "What took so long?" when I don't.

I felt used up and dry.

So why is it that God chose to speak to me through giving even more when I felt like I didn't have anything more to give?

For the Lord says in Luke 6:38, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."