_{When disasters strike, people love to help people.}

Words to SPARK your Heart-Song from our co-founder Sherry Douglas.

Hi everyone. I’m Sherry Douglas with Heart-Song. Did you know that in 2020, Americans gave over $471 billion to charity? Sixty-nine percent of that was given by individuals, like you and me. At first, it seems odd that giving increased in the United States during one of the most challenging years most of us alive today has ever experienced. With many work lay-offs and hours shortened, it would seem that giving would go down in dollars, not up.  In addition, many families were affected by 22 weather and climate disasters that totaled approximately $95 billion. There was a wildfire and a drought, three tornado outbreaks, seven tropical cyclones, and 10 severe weather events.

When disasters strike, people love to help people. Our compassion is awakened and the dollars we have are shared with those in need, or with organizations helping those in need. As we look at images of the suffering that people experience, our hearts and hands open in generosity. That’s a beautiful response.

What kind of givers are you and I? Are we cheerful? Are we reluctant? 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” With God’s guidance, only you can decide what you want to give. We don’t need to compare our giving to someone else’s. We don’t need to judge someone who doesn’t give. For God knows, and he knows what is in a person’s heart. He wants us to give because we want to give.

Let’s all remember, there are always people in need. Natural disasters bring our attention to those in extreme need, but we can keep our eyes and hearts open in our everyday lives to see where our next giving opportunity is. Need is always knocking at our doors.

Live the way you want to be remembered.

https://givingusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GUSA2021_Infographic_Digital.pdf

https://www.noaa.gov/stories/record-number-of-billion-dollar-disasters-struck-us-in-2020