Richly Blessed to Richly Bless

“Charge them that are rich in this world,
that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
That they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”
1 Timothy 6:17-18 (KJV))

            Growing up as a child, my family had so very little.

            I had just one pair of shoes.  They were plastic, and every time the back would break, my grandmother would sew it back up.

            Even though we didn’t have much, I was happy.

            When you’re poor as a child, you don’t know what poor is. You know you have a roof over your head, you have clothes, and you have love. That was the most important thing.

            My grandmother would always hug me and tell me stories. She did her best to see that we always had something to eat. At times, it was minimal. Sometimes, we didn’t have anything at all.

            At the end of every day, Grandmother would go to the market and beg for the bits and pieces that had not sold. She’d bring home whatever of the day’s leavings she could get and make a meal out of it.

            At home with Grandmother, I felt safe, but I still remember what it’s like to go to school or out in the community and have people look at you as if you don’t belong because you don’t have what others have. I grew up with that but, because I knew I was loved, a lot of times what others thought did not matter to me.

            Although I am no longer poor, I know what it’s like to be without, and that’s a gift from God with a divine purpose. Remembering want, I want to help others.

            In deep humility and with great gratitude, I give thanks for all that God has given my husband and me through the years. We have been richly blessed so that we are able to richly bless others, all for the glory of God.  Diann Keeys