Megan Riaz

I love giving gifts.

Maybe it’s part of my love language, or maybe I just love to spend money (don’t ask my husband), but I believe there is something powerful about forsaking your own wants and desires to do something intentional and purposeful for someone else.

We all know the feeling. It’s like an adrenaline rush.

I am always the giver that cannot wait for my loved one to open the present. It’s like holding on to a secret that is both exciting and joyous way longer than necessary. What is the fun in that?

My gifts to friends and family rarely make it to the moment originally planned. It’s too exciting. The anticipation builds up and I long for them to experience the joy I know they will surely have when they open their package.

The Bible tells us that Jesus said, “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35),’” and as we enter this Easter season, we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice given for our own sins; God’s perfect Son on a cross, and in three days resurrected, all to bring us closer to a holy God.

The word blessed, or sometimes translated ‘better,’ comes from the Greek word makarion which means happy. Of course, it does, giving makes us happy. It’s like God told us this for a reason, right?

Living in this community I am so blessed (happy) to see generosity on a daily basis.

Working at a local nonprofit organization, as well as serving on the board for The Women’s Fund of Smith County, I am given the most meaningful back-seat experience to the world of giving. Tyler is truly a unique community where giving is embedded in our DNA.

It’s truly a privilege that many do not experience and I do not take it lightly. I am so blessed (happy) to be able to see the joy from donors giving amounts that range from $20 to six figures, and the impact that their gifts have on the underserved.

Often, when I call a donor to express thanks for a gift, many of them say things like, “it’s not much,” or “I wish I could do more,” but the truth is their heartfelt action of giving is transformative, no matter the amount.

I believe each time we give it leaves us wishing we could give more. We look forward to giving again.

It’s another adrenaline rush. It is a blessing.

Giving gives us a small realization that there is something bigger than ourselves and that realization transforms our hearts and our communities, doing things that we could never do on our own.

I encourage everyone to take this “adrenaline rush” and experience the blessing of giving.

You may NOT want to give your kids’ their Christmas presents early, but there are other ways to experience the thrill of giving.

Start small if giving isn’t your love language. Gifts don’t have to be the kind that are printed on large checks with pictures plastered on social media. It could be a gift to a neighbor or co-worker, paying for the person’s coffee behind you at Starbucks, or making a gift to a local nonprofit.

What I LOVE about The Women’s Fund is that we all contribute to a collective gift that makes a huge impact. My small donation may not be much alone, but together with others, the impact is transformative.

Whatever the gift is and whatever the size, I am confident the more you actively pursue ways to give, you will be blessed and experience happiness.

The gratitude I have from being a part of this giving circle is such a blessing.

I am so thankful that God shares the recipe for happiness in His word and that the transformative power of giving, and the perfect Gift, is available to everyone. May we all experience God’s blessings and be a blessing to others.

Happy Easter and Happy GIVING!