A Joyful Experience of Giving

I have a recent experience to share, for which I am still overwhelmingly thankful.

In studying the Lesson-Sermon on Substance, these thoughts stood out to me:

"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down ... and running over," and "Blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it."

I was impelled to write my siblings, asking whether there was anything I had that I could give them. The responses surprised me. One brother had admired a particular piece of art for many years. Another brother and his wife requested the service flag from my father's funeral to display in their home. I responded without hesitation and shipped them off the next day. The same week, I was wondering how to dispose of a sofa hide-a-bed, when my house keeper expressed an interest. Two days later, she called to gratefully tell how her family was using it more than she had expected. And fourth, I received an unexpected e-mail from the current owner of my former home, saying how much his family and children were enjoying their new home, and how perfectly it was working for them. His gratitude for my house and how it was completing their concept of home, was undeniable.

The combination of these instances filled me with joy for the gratitude that each of them clearly held. I truly felt - and still do feel "that joy which finds one's own in another's good." Mis Wr 127