It is especially important for me to help bring someone---not only relief---but hope to help them make it through their process of getting their lives under control. Giving provides a sense of order. Giving lessens the chaos of lack.
Wanting to help others may come from the subconscious impact receiving help had on me. It could be the examples of reaching out to others I witnessed during my childhood, like giving water to city workers digging up the street. I never heard or saw them ask for water. We were sent with water and sometimes food to give to them.
Working downtown afforded many opportunities to give to the homeless. In fact, I would put a few dollars in my pocket so I can reach in and get the money to give so I would not have to open my purse on the street. It is natural for me to give when it is in my power to give.
I give because I see a need and want to help. That's all. I don't feel comfortable with receiving recognition for providing help. All I do say is, "Thank you, Lord for blessing me so I can bless them." I am not religious, but I know God is the source of all we need. People are the conduits of provision.
Excited to help. Glad to help is more of an accurate description to the "feel good" sense after giving. Excitement and gladness are "feel good" emotions, but---honestly---they are not the motivation for me to give. I feel bad when I see someone is a few dollars short of getting what they need. It really bugs me when I can't help in such a situation. At the register, I don't mind picking up the difference on a receipt so the person won't have to put the item back, especially when a child is standing there, wide-eyed and waiting.
How many times have I paid utility bills, bought cars for struggling working families? Saved a house from foreclosure? I tell you. I dream big. That's how I want to give. Big. Not for show, but give big, meaning giving more than just a couple of dollars. I want to give a nice car to a hardworking man struggling to provide for his wife and children, or give a car to the single working mother or single working father praying their jalopy gets them to work and back home without problems. I want to buy a washer and dryer for a family so they don't have to worry about hauling heavy loads to the laudromat, or pay for a year or two of daycare so a family can get ahead financially. My goodness, so they can see some daylight in the midnight of their trouble.
I want to buy a wardrobe for that man or that woman who has finally landed a job, but have to clear up a few bills before they can upgrade their wardrobe. I want to give on such a magnitudinous level because I want to give the kind of help that will propel a family toward being self-sufficient.
Happy to help describes my favorite give story. I remember sitting in the reception area of my bank some years ago. As I waited, I couldn't help but hear these two women. One of them told the bank representative they were on their lunch break, but they wanted to help one of their young relatives who was just getting started out on her own.
One lady said she wanted to pay a portion of the money on behalf of the relative, and that she would pay the other portion on her next check. They completed their business. When I sat down, I asked the bank representative what was the balance on the account.
She responded by saying, "Oh, I can't give out the name." I told her, "I don't need the name, just the amount of the balance. I want to pay it." She looked shocked for a few seconds. I told her, "Whoever this relative is, they want to help, must be pretty special to them. They obviously believe she is trying and I want to help just because they do."
After getting over her initial shock, she explained her plan that she would write a letter to the customer explaining the account was paid in full. On the inside, I was bubbling over. I sat there just excited, turning flips on the inside to be able to help in such a way, but I calmly said, "That's fine. I just want to help."