I read a blog the other day that told the story of a man who performed a “30 Day Generosity Experiment.” This man found himself always saying NO and one day just simply decided to say YES for the next 30 days, no matter the request. It changed his life. This man now tries to live his life “as a ‘YES man’ in response to the issues that grip his heart.” This particular blog by Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in North Carolina went on to challenge his readers to take the “30 Day Generosity Experiment” as well. Pastor Furtick’s challenge involved making a commitment to God for the next 30 days to meet any need that crossed the reader’s path as best they could, whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual or financial. Instead of always automatically responding with a NO, he challenged his readers to say YES to the Holy Spirit promptings within one’s sphere of influence. Pastor Furtick promised that thru this, not only will other lives be changed, but your life would be changed as well.
Now to be honest, I didn’t dwell too much on this blog after I was done reading. I did think about Jim Carrey’s “Yes Man” movie that came out in 2008. But I can’t say I vowed to do the experiment and take the challenge.
Fast forward to the next day, early afternoon. I was in line to pay for a Thomas the Tank Engine costume for my nephew. He loves Thomas the Tank Engine! What a cute costume it will be for him to wear to the church’s annual Harvest Party. I can’t wait to see him in it!
We were next in line and my attention was on my nephew, who was fascinated by the large spider (Halloween store decor of course) that moved up and down above our heads. The lady at the register was just getting ready to pay and was asked if she wanted to make a monetary donation to the local children’s hospital for a party that will be thrown for the children in celebration of Halloween. The lady quickly responded by saying she’d donate $5. Now as this was happening, I thought to myself, “Geez, they get us wherever we go...asking for donations for some cause or other...I’m not gonna give my money towards this...”
You know how it is. There’s the “Fill the Boot” campaign by the local firefighters for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Soon enough the Red Kettle bells will be heard at every store door in town. The grocery stores do “Checkout for Hunger.” The church asks for money for the various organizations they support. Kids are constantly raising moeny for their teams, trips and activities. The list goes on and on.
When it was my turn to pay, I expected to simply pay for my merchandise and nothing more. Then IT happened. The guy went thru his speech of what the donation was for and asked if I wanted to give. As this was happening, my mind immediately thought of those kids stuck in the hospital. My mind thought of the smiles that would come to their face with the games, candy and prizes that would be brought to their hospital floor. My mind returned to the blog I had just read the night before that challenged me to say YES when I would typically say NO. In that split second I changed my mind. Of course the cashier didn’t know what was going thru my head during that short time span but my reply to his question was an emphatic “YES, sure, absolutely, why not!”
I didn’t just walk out of the store that day with a Thomas the Tank Engine costume. I left with a heart that was exuberant for being obedient with a simple YES that will bring tons of joy, and maybe even some normalcy I pray, to the life of many sick children.
I can’t wait for my next opportunity to say YES. Will you join me?