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Remember my friends Savanna and Jordan, the family with six kids? They dropped by for a short visit, just twenty-four hours. John and I got a taste of grandchildren—an empty house transformed into a beautiful, chaotic mess, then quiet again all too soon. It took us almost twenty-four hours to recuperate.
Savanna had an opportunity to travel down to Austin, TX for a digital marketing conference. She didn’t want to travel alone, and her mother needed to stay behind and help Jordan look after her six-pack of kids. It was a simple choice for me, and I offered to go with her. She thanked me and hugged me, all the appropriate and normal things most of us do to show appreciation. But then she said, “Most people in my life take from me more than they give. You are one of three who actually gives more than you take.” Her words hit my heart hard. They also got me to thinking about the people in my life. I’d never considered my relationships in that context before. Did I have three people in my life who gave me more than they took?
I won’t name names, but I came up with more than three people. The answer brought a smile to my face, but also a sense of relief. It also made me wonder—why do I have so many friends who give more than they take, but Savanna doesn’t? And I was pretty sure she wasn’t alone. Over the years, I’ve heard a few friends lament over their empty cups, dry from so much giving. I’ve noticed some people are like Savanna—they hit the ground every morning looking for ways to be of service. She attracts people who are in need, who are hurting, who have no place to turn. And Savanna gives her all—through her marriage, family, church, workplace, and community. She’s incredibly good at it, which attracts more people in need. And the cycle continues.
She enjoys giving, but she’s only human and she empties her cup. Her faith fills it up, along with her husband and some of her family. And me too, apparently. But it makes me sad that she has more people taking than giving. Too often we forget that the people in our lives giving and sacrificing need love and care too. So tell me…who are your three, the three people in your life giving more than taking from you? And next question—are you one of three people in someone’s life giving more than taking?
Jann Goar Franklin graduated Russellville High School in 1985 and lives in Grand Cane, Louisiana. She also writes books, which are for sale at www.jannfranklin.com. You can reach her at jann@jannfranklin.com