It’s that time of year again..that day that a lot of men dread, when incredible pressure is put on them to demonstrate their true love for someone in the most romantic way possible…Valentine’s Day! The hype is unending..commercials, aisle displays, all urging you to spend and spend (after just doing so at Christmas) on the one you love. Then a few days before, it’s even more intense, with the phrases “last minute gift ideas!!” and “it’s not too late to find the perfect gift!!” popping up everywhere. And sadly, you can visit any store the night of Feb 13th and find too many people desperately looking through picked over cards and gifts trying to find something presentable!

After watching all this in recent years, and after experiencing the death of my sister-in-law and a dear friend last month, God has shown me a great truth..life is too precious to live it as a last minute giver. My friend Richard knew that. He had spent decades living and working in our community, touching hundreds of lives over that time. After he died, tributes poured in from too many people to ever count about his generosity, his compassion, and his willingness to serve others. He was NOT a last minute giver!

My sister-in-law was also not a last minute giver. She had so little materially throughout her life…but she was also the first to give. She saw the need first..usually a hot meal or a bed to sleep on or an ear to listen..and never hesitated to meet it. When we would call her, it was not at all unusual at all for someone we didn’t know to answer the phone and my SIL would say, “oh that was ______ and they’re staying here a few days….”

Now before I continue, let me say this..sometimes last minute giving is all we can do. Financial gifts cannot always be given until the next paycheck. Sometimes we are not even aware of the need, but can help others when we find out. And sometimes we are in need ourselves, and are in the process of being helped! All of those are very valid and important things.

However..!! It doesn’t always cost money to give! I see elderly people and moms with young children all the time when I am grocery shopping that walk out alone and struggle to get their stuff in their car and/or wrangle with kids! First minute giving is seeing an empty preschool classroom on a Sunday morning because the teacher was running late and allowing parents to still drop off their children safely. First minute giving, basically, requires one commitment: to be alert and aware of others and their needs! It requires us to slow down a little, see what’s going on, and remember that we’re not just here for ourselves! It is a challenge, and it means sacrifice..but it is infinitely do-able, and a key neccesity in being obedient to God and luving for His glory! So next time you see a group of desperate people crowded around a card section or gift section, remember this..and go out and do some first minute giving!