Ten things I gave away today (Did you beat me?)

Today was just an ordinary day in many ways – the usual work of a pastor, some ho-hum, and some more unusual, some essential and some more trivial.  But it occurs to me that in the course of today I gave something away at least ten times:

Permission: “Could we try…” Yes of course!  What a great idea!  Let’s make it happen.

Ideas: “What about if we…” Well, here’s how I might do it.

Encouragement: “This has happened” Brilliant!  Thank you!  Does that charge you up, or leave you feeling a bit flat?  And if it’s the latter, what would give you a lift?

Resources: “We need do this…”  OK, let’s see how we can get you what we need to make that happen.

Attention: “This is a serious problem”  I’m listening.  What do you want or need, from me or from others?

Thought: “This is a poser – what do we do?”  I’m not sure;  let’s sit down and talk it through.

Reward: “I’ve done something above and beyond what you expected!” You certainly have!  How can I make the smile on your face a bit bigger?

Reassurance: “I’ve made a judgement call, and I’m not sure it’s the right one.” Talk me through it, with your reasons; in all probability I’d have done much the same and I’ll back you anyway.

Guidance: “What do you want me to do?”  I want you to do this; get back to me if the situation moves outside certain parameters.

Thanks: “Job done.”  And done well – everyone, look at what’s happened; thank you.

And tomorrow I might give sympathy, teaching, time…

By the way – I’m not claiming to be a perfect pastor here!  But I am preaching about theft on Sunday, so giving rather than taking is on my mind

What did you give away today? Pile in!