Posts Tagged ‘Kellee’

by Kellee Eavenson

I’ve been contemplating the last two weeks: what are the barriers to giving? There are the easy, knee-jerk reactions – I don’t have time, I don’t have the money, I don’t have the…whatever, really. The focus on “lack” is really what I’m trying to challenge myself to break down. Few people have all the time, money, and resources at their disposal; all of us have the choice for where we spend our talents and gifts.

I’m thinking more about where I DO spend time and money to evaluate if I am really spreading the joy I have in my own life. I don’t have any great answers yet, but I think if I concentrate on what I have and what I can share, I’ll be making strides in the right direction.

One of the most important things I can give is a strong foundation of love and support to my daughter. I think about how we talk and how we work through things very consciously so we are working through development stages and problems together. I don’t have the greatest family background myself, but in this season, I’m thinking more and more about what I can give back to my parents and brother to repair that foundation.

When members of our church went to help flood victims, I think about the sharing of that experience. What sticks with me the most is that it is really easy to pull back because there are so MANY problems; so MANY people in need. But if all of us started with what was right in front of us, we’d all be moving in the right direction. I’m thinking a lot about when I choose to give and when I choose to look away. I’m trying to open my eyes to my family, my neighbors, and local volunteer opportunties to break down barriers to giving.

by Kellee Eavenson

I’m really glad that I’ve chosen to focus on “give” for Lent this year. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I didn’t realize how many opportunities I’d observe of people giving. Some of the most generous people seem to have the least amount to actually give, yet in the giving, they find abundance.

Two stories for this week.

Last week, my husband and I had the opportunity to be in the mix of a bunch of singer/songwriters whom we admire. This group represented varying degrees of commercial success. A songwriter some of you may remember from “Rockabye” gave a workshop with a buddy of his. They talked about the pressures of working with record companies and the art of song-writing. Shawn Mullins described many situations of collaboration; he has given so much back to songwriters because he truly loves his craft. It might seem tempting to want to keep “all the good ideas” to one’s self, but his stories reminded me that when we give, our gifts can spider out in so many unexpected ways to give MORE to the community, as well as to ourselves.

Tom and I were away just the two of us, but when talking to our daughter Elinore, she told me a story about giving. She is part of a multi-age classroom that welcomes in the special needs class for “circle of friends” time at school. This interaction gives the kids with educational challenges time to interact and just play and work on projects, and it gives Elinore’s class some perspective on how people learn and grow differently. The bell rang, and it was time for Elinore’s class to go along to gym. She noticed that one of the children was very disturbed that not all the glue sticks were put away. Despite knowing that she’d likely get in “trouble” for being late, Elinore contemplated the situation, and decided to stay and help even if it meant she’d have to run some laps as a result of being late. Instead, the teacher awarded her a recognition sheet for good character.

There is that moment of decision for all of us faced with the choice to give. Do we give away that good idea that could be OUR big break? Do we take the risk of punishment to do what we know in our hearts is the right thing to do? If only at that moment of choice were it so clear that “what goes around, comes around.” I know I have regrets for moments like these when I chose the “other way.” I’m trying to think about risks of giving….and take the leap!

by Kellee Eavenson

I’m trying to explain to my daughter Elinore about what it really means to “give something up” and why that matters. She tells me about her friends who are giving up chocolate….except on Sundays or Wednesdays or some sort of “opt out.”

For a child, it may be okay to take contemplation in small doses. But what I’m thinking about during this season is “GIVE.” Not “GIVE UP”….nope….I’m not giving up on anything or anyone. Giving up is tempting sometimes….in the face of challenge, don’t we all follow that fantasy of just giving up? Naturally in the season of Lent, “giving up” has a whole different context. We “give up” to remember the ultimate sacrifice of love for each of us. It doesn’t mean just taking the easy way out.

For me, I’m faced with some challenges….but my “challenges” really are those driven by luxury. I have a good job – a new job, but a good one. I have the food I need, the shelter to restore me, and the the gift of loving two of the most amazing people you’ll ever meet. So in this season, I’m contemplating what more can I give. Instead of looking at challenges from just my point of view, how can I give people what they need? How can I help those close to me?

There is so much suffering right now! Haiti, the economy, the oppressed, the losses and the illness….boy, am I lucky. I can give to the greater good, and my husband and I do. Still, I’d like to look at the gifts that I can spread right before me. I can’t solve all of these *big* problems of suffering…but what can I do right here and right now?

Today and in the week ahead I am going to GIVE patience. I’m working with a lot of bruised and battered people right now. Their instincts suggest suspicion and self-preservation. I’m going to focus on giving them the space to heal their wounds and decide what’s next….give UP the old hurts and “old tapes” running in their heads. Choose to give a second chance. Choose to give some time to LISTEN rather than speak. Choose to give benefit of the doubt.

I’m thinking about giving for Lent, and there is more to come.