Dear friends, as we kick off a new work week, I am starting my work day on Monday morning looking out on Lake Norman. As much as I don't like to be in the water, I love to be near it, and certainly love to see it.  It's been a longtime dream of mine to one day live by a lake or somewhere along the East Coast, with a waterfront property. To enjoy a hot cup of coffee overlooking the lake this morning is heavenly... a true retreat, and one which has been much-needed.

We're spending a few days at the lake this week, in a beautiful home owned by wonderful family friends, who really are more like family than just friends. Through the years, we've enjoyed visits to the lake, and much more, thanks to the generosity of our amazing friends. Of course, our story of friendship goes way back and our connections are deeply rooted in faith, love, and music.

While our setting for the next few days is paradise-like to us, we're comfortable here, knowing that the love of our good friends is all around us. So many times in our lives, these friends have shared and given so freely. They are truly among the most generous people I have ever known, and I want so badly to be more like them in that way.

I can be so selfish... with my time, my resources, and can be extremely overprotective which sometimes causes me to shut others out rather than allowing them to draw near. I pray fervently for a more generous heart, mind, and spirit. My friends may be completely unaware of how their generosity and pure love and friendship inspires me to be more like them each and every day.

One of the first Bible verses I remember learning as a child is Galatians 5:22, which talks about the fruit of the Spirit. Generosity isn't particularly named in this verse, but kindness certainly is, and to me, they certainly do go hand in hand. My prayer for you this week is that you might find simple ways to share a kind word, a simple act of kindness or generosity which speaks volumes to those you interact with- either face to face or online. May we all be as generous as we're able to be.

What or who inspires you to be generous? 

How will you share with someone today?

Let's chat generosity and kindness. Drop me a comment below or over on MBP social media @mommysblockparty on Facebook or @mommysblckparty on Twitter or IG.