{Day Twenty-Nine} More Than Just Money

Yesterday I touched on the margin-in-money issue. That we should do our best to leave room for offering to others if we can. But I realize that there will be seasons - or perhaps your life is one long season - where we live paycheck to paycheck, penny to penny. Margin in this area is impossible. And I think that's okay. I think there are other ways to leave margin in our resources.

Here's a great example from my growing up years: my parents opened their house to those who needed it. I can remember when some family friends were finishing their last support-raising push before they left to be missionaries in Spain. They no longer had a place to live, but they weren't quite ready to make the move yet. The young family of three lived in a make-do bedroom in our basement (heated and cooled, don't worry!) for many months.

Mom and Dad where always coming up with ways to give what they could to others: meals, rides, a place to stay for a night or two....or many, a note written on a handmade card, a baby or bridal shower. People around them always felt loved and served, regardless of what it was that they were being given.

So here's the question for today: how can you make margin in your life? With your time? With your finances? Or with other resources available to you?

And don't forget - tomorrow I'd love for you to share with me a lesson you learned from your family or one you hope to teach.

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We're nearing the end of 31 lessons I learned from my family. If you've missed any, you can catch up here.