HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING?

            Do you sometimes have trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep at night?

            Do you find that it’s more difficult when you’re facing a difficult decision? Do you

·         Count sheep

·         Pray

·         Pace

·         Cry

            Author Tom Melzoni in A Generous Life said his father would say “pray the night through until you find peace!”       

            I don’t know about you, but it’s very hard to find peace in the dark of night, even when praying. In times like this, you may be dealing with financial debt, buying a new home, changing jobs, or maybe even figuring out your own generosity.

 

            Author Melzoni said this in his devotion, which really resonated with me: “Prayer deepens our well of generosity. Giving comes from deep within us. Praying enables us to connect with God and listen for God’s will.”

            I think this sounds a lot different than how we normally handle stewardship, doesn’t it. Often we approach stewardship as a way to pay the church’s bills, but the prayer, the listening to God part of stewardship is a minimal part of our stewardship.

            I encourage you to take these conversations about generosity and prayer seriously as you plan your stewardship plans for this coming fall!

 

Feel free to contact me at sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org with any thoughts or questions.