You have probably heard it said, ‘never do for free what you can do for work’. Or some version of that quote. Normally, I’m inclined to agree. I would hesitate to ever recommend that you ‘volunteer’ to do work in your given field. However, with all the gifts we’re given we have the opportunity to bless people and sometimes the ‘payment’ you receive from doing this for ‘free’ is worth far more than the monetary value of your service.
Don’t go rush off and offer to work a day a week for free or anything crazy…but consider how your gifts and talents can be used to bless people. You may find that the person most blessed by the experience is you. Not the reason to do it of course but a nice little bonus. Besides what goes around comes around.
When I was studying photography in college I had the opportunity to do a really nice project for a family that was close to mine. I was able to count the project both for school and bless them with hand developed photos of their kids that would have been outrageous if they’d paid a professional. Normally, I charged people for my work. I made a good bit of money doing freelance work while still in school studying. This particular family however, I just wanted to do something nice for them. They did feed me a great lunch of pb&j during the shoot too. : ]
To this day (it’s been 5 or so years now) one of those pictures is hanging in their living room. The husband was able to have it matted, mounted, and framed as a gift to his wife that year. I can’t tell you how many times they thanked me for my work. Not to mention how wide spread the word about my skills got as they told everyone I made it for them. If I’m being completely honest here, I had a blast. I love their family and enjoyed spending a day with them. Developing pictures of their boys was fun! But most of all I’d never had a client that was grateful! I felt blessed.
Recently this came full circle and a long time family friend of ours did me an even greater ‘favor’. I was not expecting it (nor was the family I helped) but when she blessed me with serving me free of charge (in her given field) it brought tears to my eyes. I would have gladly paid and she would have been worth every cent and more. But for her to take her gift and use it to benefit me with no reward to her, blessed my heart for days (not to mention my budget for this month)!
So my lesson of the day is just that – blessings are worth your time and effort. Bless someone with your talents and I hope that each of you will also be blessed by someone else’s.
Love,
B
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So scared of getting older
I’m only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man
Said help me understand
He said turn 68,
you’ll renegotiate
Don’t stop this train
Don’t for a minute change the place you’re in
Don’t think I couldn’t ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we’ll never stop this train
John Mayer, Stop this Train
Today I am a year older. A year wiser? Perhaps. This year has certainly not been without it’s share of stretching moments. I have grown up more in my year of being 23 than in any year prior. I suppose that’s what living on your own, in the ‘real world’ does to one. But I admit that I’m sad to see 23 go. It has been an incredible year and I would relive it again & again.
When I started this blog I struggled to decide what I would name it…the theme over the past year of my life has been just that, I’m scared of getting older. While I got an amazing education at the Purdue University, no one prepares you e to struggle through your first big disagreement at work, or really budget when you’re living on your first salary, or all the details that come with buying your first home (mine’s been in the works a year and I still feel clueless). I’ve finally gotten good at being young. So now what? I’m 24. Who defines old? I feel so much older than I did at 21 or 22. I’m out of school, out of debt, and out of Indiana. I’m self aware, self sufficient, and self confident (usually).
The question remains now, am I still scared to get older? Sometimes. When I think that getting older comes with losing loved ones and leaving behind the carefree ways of youth. I’ve given up much of my childish ways but I’ve got a few I’m not ready too. I never want to be too old to curl up with my Daddy, even if I have to watch golf! I never want to outgrown watching movies with my parents and making my Momma scratch my back. I refuse to believe I’ll ever be too old to lay on top of my baby sister while she’s trying to ignore me and watch TV because she doesn’t like to be cuddled. I will never be too old to make mixed CDs of radio songs and drive around singing with my Rae.
What takes the fear out of growing up for me now is that as I’ve stepped out in faith and begun the process, God has been there to guide me along the way. I’ve had a few meltdowns, temper tantrums, and screams but even through the hardest moments of 23 did I ever feel alone. God has provided me with an amazing family, wonderful friends, and a book with all the answers. If I’m making one non-secret birthday wish for 24 it’s that I would seek Him first will all my heart and quit leaning on my own understanding (or lack thereof).
People are always pushing independence and self sufficiency. I believe that in some ways those are great qualities. However, there’s not enough emphasis placed on a little dependency. I depend on God to get me through every crazy, beautiful, awkward, joyful, and hard day of my life. I depend on my family not to be perfect but to be there. To be excited and welcome me back with open arms every time I need to come home and unwind (or act 5 again). And yes, ‘I get by with a little help from my friends’. I depend on them to coach and cheer me through this crazy little thing called life. To call me out when I’m messing up. To push me when they know I need to do better. And to never let me give up, even when I feel like it.
I’d like to end my birthday post with a few thank you’s. Thank you God for your grace, I’d be lost without it. Thank you to my incredible family – you are the best ‘present’ I’ve ever received. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel blessed to have each of you in my life. A special thank you to my friends both old and new, I wouldn’t want to do life without you. After years of searching for great friendships I have finally found some. You know who you are, and I hope you know every day how much you mean. ’I thank my God every time I remember you’. And lastly, but not least thank you to each of you who has been reading my crazy blog over the past weeks, months, or year. Your comments encourage me and your blogs have taught me much.
I sadly say goodbye to 23, which was the best year yet. But here’s to 24 knocking the socks off 23.
Don’t for a minute change the place you’re in.
Love,
B
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