What You Give Away, You Get Back
Over time, I’ve come to understand that the real treasures in my life didn’t come from what I took, but from what I gave away. For a long stretch, I chased attention—my looks, my personality, my need to be accepted. All of it shallow at best. Whatever satisfaction came from that was fleeting, like a cheap high. Things done for selfish gain never seem to quench the ego’s thirst. It’s like slowly dying of dehydration while standing next to a running faucet.
Just about everything I truly love in my life came with giving something up—my time, my energy, my devotion. Years ago, I coached girls’ softball, and I’m still connected to many of those players through social media. Here’s what I see now: doctors, lawyers, moms, wives, special education teachers, activists, CPAs—leaders in their communities. And I love that. I love seeing it and quietly thanking God that I had a small part in some of their journey.
Those early mornings, the travel, the responsibility of being “the one in charge”—it all paid dividends I couldn’t see at the time. God gave me a front-row seat to His glory.
I don’t say this for attention or approval—just gratitude. I don’t know who said it, maybe no one at all: “Do good. Tell no one.” What I didn’t know back then was that service was—and still is—my salvation.
I sponsor people in AA, and let me tell you, service costs something. It’s time-consuming, aggravating, inconvenient—and absolutely worth it. When you commit to helping another person, you sometimes get to witness a miracle. Watching some dumb ass who burned his life to the ground get his feet under him, and then turn around and help someone else—that’s nothing short of holy.
In those moments of effort and service, God leaves a mark. A quiet stamp on your heart. A kind of “thank you” that doesn’t need applause.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
— Matthew 25:21
Our time on earth is short, but a legacy is possible. An everlasting mark of love, paid forward, and then forward again.
At this stage of my life, I measure happiness by service.
Not happy? Probably not serving.
Happy? Chances are I’m helping someone—or helping the world get just a little better.
Closing Prayer
Loving God,
Keep my heart willing and my hands open.
Let me serve without needing recognition
and give without counting the cost.
If I am tired, remind me why I started.
If I am blessed, help me pass it on.
Amen.
