Giving Away My Treasure

She had beautiful brown curls halfway down her back.Soft, 8-year-old hair that had never been cut.And my grandgirl decided it was time.Not just to cut off her lovely tresses—but to give them to Locks of Love.To help provide a wig for a child with cancer.So we took Madison to the hair salon, where they measured the required 10 inches.  We all held our breath as the scissors did their work.She said good-bye to her curls, as the stylist held up the length of hair in a ponytail, then packaged it to send off to Locks of Love.Madison said her new short style suited her perfectly—light and easy to care for.It’s hard, isn’t it, to give up something we treasure, something that has become a part of us.  It’s a little easier when we know it will benefit someone else.  And of course hair grows back.But giving away the things of our lives—even something we treasure—is exactly what God loves for us to do.Most of us have far more than we need, and decluttering our lives is good for us.  Of course, giving to benefit another feels good to us.  And what a blessing to provide help and hope to someone in need!One more benefit:…your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  (2Corinthians 9:11-12)I’m seeking to give away at least 100 things of mine next month.  Lots of clothes.  Food.  Décor.  Books I’ve written.How about you?  Is there something—even a treasure—the Lord would have you give to benefit another?  Your very own Locks of Love?c2011 Judy Douglass