We just completed our annual fund-raising drive, with the crab dinner for those who donated $175 or more. It was a sold out dinner, with about 70 people attending. The food was spectacular, with lots of variety, and the catering staff excellent. All had a really good time with each other. It was a very celebratory and fun event.
Altogether we raised about $15,000 for the school and church, which help us immensely. I am very grateful for those of you who are affinity-level givers and/or contributed to the fund raising drive.
The book of Proverbs is an interesting book in the Bible. It’s supposedly written by Solomon, although that’s not quite certain. It’s unlike any other book, in that it’s not particularly religious or even spiritual, and it doesn’t mention God very much. It’s more a book of moral instruction, or a manual on how to live a good life.
Here’s one example:
Proverbs 11:24
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes into poverty.
This is in line with the line in the New Testament, about “as you give, so shall you receive”. Let’s examine this a little bit.
If a person gives freely, that person is giving without fear. They are not afraid that if they give, they are losing something. There is no fear of lack. There is no effort behind that giving, there is an openness, even a certainty about who he or she is as a person.
The other person withholds, but comes into poverty. What picture is that person operating off of? Fear of loss, protecting what he or she has, maybe a lot of attention on their possessions, possibly fear that someone else will take more than their share. Maybe this person has a fear of inadequacy about who they are.
Do you tend to give freely, or withhold?
Which is your pattern? Do you tend to give freely, or withhold? Are you open and unafraid with your giving, or do you have some fear attached?
The next proverb goes right along with the first one:
Proverbs: 11:25
A generous person will prosper;
they who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Look at a situation in your life where you are afraid. It doesn’t have to around giving, it can be any situation.
Notice how you become constricted in that situation; how your muscles tense up; how you re not clear about what you should do. That constriction and fear causes you to behave that way, to think that way, to attract to you those same kinds of situations.
Clean out what you can in this situation.
Then notice a situation where you feel more open, more generous, where you have certainty. Notice that you are able to be more free, more clear, and that your muscles are more relaxed. Notice also that that energy is also reflected back onto you. Let the energy of feeling more free come into your space.
You can see why you it is that receive as you give, and that you give as you receive. Give yourself permission to let go of your fear, to bring that clarity and certainty into your space and make that your reality.
All of you who given to Psychic Horizons/Church of Natural Grace have done so with openness and generosity, and we thank you.
As always, thanks for supporting Psychic Horizons & the Church of Natural Grace with your sustainable giving! It truly makes a difference, both for us and for you.
Best regards,
Rev. Laura Hopper
Originally published February 26, 2018
