Lydia has noticed in her life that the stingy people are the ones who lack while the generous rarely want. It could be that the stingy people are stingy because they lack and the generous are generous because they have plenty but she doubts it. Giving has much more to do with percentages than big numbers.

Brianna truly believes that everyone is able to give. From the smallest child giving their twenty-five cent allowance to the Salvation Army to the oldest person giving whatever they can to the lady who cleans their house. She claims that we are all able to give in some manner because it is something God has instilled in us. Whether we give a little or give a lot, either physically or emotionally, we can all give. The question is, will we choose to follow this part of ourselves?

Lydia and Brianna are sure that giving has to do with not only donating money but also sacrificing one's time and abilities. They want to be sure never to blow past someone who needs help; help at the grocery store, help at the park, or help at the coffeeshop. Stopping to hug a friend when you are running late is giving. Picking up a can of creamed corn that is rolling down the aisle instead of chuckling at the employee or customer chase it is giving. Adopting a child is giving. Paying for someone else's something instead of buying a new tote bag or CD is giving.

Brianna and Lydia have learned that buying each other gifts is much more fun than buying the same thing for themselves. These two have discovered that starting to give is the hardest part. Once one starts, though, it won't be so hard to stay in the habit of generosity for the rest of your life.

After you have practiced and practiced, you won't be able to let that can of creamed corn roll past, you won't want to bypass that friend in need of a hug. Once giving has become a normalcy in your life you won't get the same satisfaction from the CD or tote bag as you will from buying a stranger their coffee.

Give. Love. Share. Care. Sacrifice. Shmile*.