The Paradox: Give It Away and You’ll Have More

​In this past month, Lyn and I have been focusing our sermons on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives and life of the church. We are now to the place in the study where we are reminded that there is an even better gift than all Paul has been teaching about previously—LOVE.
 
As part of our services we include something special for the children—they come up front and sit on the floor. Pastor Lyn usually does this but this Sunday I have something special to share with the children—the story of the Warm Fuzzies.

There was a village that had a practice of sharing warm fuzzies with each other. As a result, their village was a happy, joyous, community. All of the people in the village got along very well. There was kindness, love, compassion, and justice. Every person in the village owned a special bag, given to them by their parents at the age of 3. Inside this bag were hundreds of warm fuzzies. Warm fuzzies were soft, cuddly, cottony little puffs. When you gave someone a warm fuzzy, they felt warm and fuzzy inside. People in the village gave each other warm fuzzies anytime they wanted to let someone know they were loved. When someone received a warm fuzzy, they put it in their bag.

But then, like often in real life, a grouchy person, who looked at life negatively, came along and brought a bag of cold pricklies. This person spread the idea that if they continued to give out the warm fuzzies, they would soon run out. So, they should give out the cold pricklies instead.

How easy to give out the pricklies—as we move into a controlling, critical spirit. But, then the joy and warmth goes away. There is a song that goes with this-

Love is Something if You Give it Away  

• Love is something if you give it away, Give it away, Give it away
• Love is something if you give it away, You'll end up having more
• It’s just like a magic penny, Hold it tight and you won't have any
• But, give it away, And you'll have plenty, You'll end up having more

So, this Sunday, I am going to take the bags that someone lovingly made for me that will be filled with pom poms and give those to each child to have and share. But there will also be enough for the adults to have one—because it is just possible that we as adults are the ones who have forgotten about sharing warm fuzzies.
 
This story/song is important in all areas of our lives but I believe it is especially important for us to remember as we work together in Tres Dias. Yes, you can probably find something to be critical about each of us if you focus on that.  But, we can also each give our warm fuzzies to each other.

And here is another thought: We can ask someone for a warm fuzzie—let them know we are in need of that warmth and love.

And, A WARM FUZZIE TO EACH OF YOU. You are such a blessing to me.

Spiritual Director Jean Hershey