Do you have a case of the Monday’s? Did you know that today is considered the “saddest day of the year”? The concept of “Blue Monday” was first published by Sky Travel in 2005. With typical grey skies across the northern hemisphere, New Year’s resolutions already failed, and incoming Christmas debt it is easy to see why this concept was coined. Although, recent studies are debunking this idea I get it. 

Buyer’s remorse is the real deal. Christmas has come and gone. The toys our children had to have and we rushed around to get have since been shoved in a closet or under a bed. If you remember the Tickle Me Elmo saga of 1996 you may have even punched someone for the hot children’s toy of the year. Now as the credit card bill rolls in for Christmas purchases, parents across the country are having buyers remorse, questioning if it was worth it.

Our five year old experienced this first hand in Mexico this Christmas Eve. We had given each child a set amount of money to spend at the port in Cozumel. They each inspected, bargained, and deeply contemplated their projected purchases. Lukas had his eyes on a handmade wooden guitar with the images from Coco painted on the back. He had requested a guitar for Christmas but it would take all of his allotted money to purchase this one. It did not take him long to decide and he happily skipped away with a new guitar in hand.

As the older children took longer to make a decision, knowing they could circle back if they didn’t see something elsewhere, Lukas got anxious. He began to have “buyers remorse.” Although Lukas never saw anything else he loved as much, he did see lots of things he doesn’t have. Lukas graced us then with waterworks. This quickly turned from an enjoyable experience to one of frustration. He was being greedy. 

The next morning was Christmas and Santa had brought one small gift for each of them, two were in gift bags and one was in a small box. From across the cruise cabin, Lukas took one look at the box and exclaimed, “Did Santa bring me coal for crying yesterday?!”

Even a child can recognize their greed.

This common occurrence got me thinking about my own greed and generosity. I began paying attention to the people around me. 

Linda is always smiling and when she walks she has a childlike hop to her step. She emulates grace, joy, and peace. Her life isn’t all put together but you wouldn’t know it at first glance. Linda doesn’t pretend to be someone she is not, as she is authentic to the core. She doesn’t push her values or beliefs on anyone else, but naturally others are attracted to who she is. Linda isn’t just a believer of Christ, she believes in who she is because of Him. Because of this she is generous with both her time and money. 

Debbie works hard at everything she does. She goes above and beyond in order to be recognized for being a good, valuable, and worthy person. This makes Debbie exhausted and fearful of losing it all. She holds tight to what she has and is unwilling to truly allow others in. She is constantly reminding others they need her by doing things for them. 

Do you know someone like Linda or Debbie? Do you see yourself in them? Me too!

Generosity changes people. 

When our first son was born with an undetected congenital heart defect, our whole world was flipped upside down. He was airlifted to a hospital two-and-a-half hours away from our home. He was in critical condition his entire life. I was a brand new teacher and had only acquired eight paid days of leave. Alexander was in the hospital for fifty-two days. Not only was my job still waiting for me, but my co-workers who had known me less than a year rallied around me. They transferred some of their own days to my account so that I wouldn’t have to pay for my own substitute, brought me gas cards, took collections to help expenses, and gift cards to the hospital’s cafeteria. After he passed away they filled my refrigerator with food and my arms with hugs. I was on the receiving end of generosity. 

It was an example of extreme generosity for both my husband and I together to propel us into a lifetime of choosing generosity. 

Tell me a time you regretted giving your time or money. Tell me a time when you didn’t feel the spark of hope and joy inside of you as you were making even the smallest difference. 

Proverbs 11:24-25 
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper;
   whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Have you noticed this? Linda emulates joy because she is generous. She gives with a grateful heart, not with stipulations. Because she gives more she receives more. When she is in need others will notice and remember her.

Debbie gives with strings attached, in hopes to be recognized, and is always holding on tight to what she has. She doesn’t give generously but reluctantly, if at all. She is never fulfilled and always drained. 

I love practicality and checklists so I formed a list of fours ways to be generous:

• Money

This is usually what comes to mind first when we think generosity.
Often Matthew 6:21 is quoted “For where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also.” 

• Things

When you are done with clothes, toys, or any other object don’t just
throw them away but give them away.

• Time

Serve at your church.
Serve with an outreach organization.
Volunteer at your child’s school.
Volunteer at the public library.
Use your gifts/talents to bless others. 

• Host

If you read my blog Stranger Things, then you might already know of
our family’s love for hosting. Therefore as I have begun to study the
Shunammite woman from 2 Kings, she resonates with me. Not only do
I empathize when she mourns the loss of her son but it is what she
does first before the blessing of conception that has stuck with me.

2 Kings 4:8-10
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

I love she does not offer a general welcome, but a true invitation. She not only invites, but welcomes him in. When I picture her I picture Linda, the woman I described above. 

I challenge you to change this Blue Monday for someone else. Be a Linda. 

Pick a way to be generous in your money, time, things, or your home. I promise you that just like the Shunammite woman it will be life changing not only for the person you bless, but for you too. Consider this: how might my money, time, things, or hospitality change the trajectory of my future? Just as the Shunammite woman did not see it right away she would later be blessed with a son she never thought she could have. 

I am believing that a world filled with generosity would transform Blue Monday’s into nonexistence. 

What gifts/talents do you have that could be used? How might you be more like Linda?