(This post is part of a group writing project from Robert Hruzek.)

Times were tough. Hannah was two years old and Morgan was only two weeks old when my ex-husband and I separated in what I will describe as the most difficult period of my life. Life as I had known it came to a screeching halt.

I stayed in the house with the children and he moved a few blocks away to a house with a small basement apartment. Managing one household on his salary and my part-time income had been a challenge. Managing two households on a part-time income and inconsistent support was seemingly impossible. Seemingly.

During that time, I experienced generosity at the hands of many, many people. And a faithful God. For thirty days straight I was the recipient well-timed blessings. People brought meals. I received cards in the mail. Checks would arrive at just the needed time. People called to see how I was doing. The thought of it, even now, brings a giant lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

One sunny day I looked outside just in time to see Betsy Middleton walking away from the front of the house towards her car in the driveway. I couldn’t get to the door in time to speak to her before she left. Was the doorbell not working? Had I missed her knock? When I opened the door, I was taken aback. Betsy had left a giant package of diapers on the front porch, and did so with the full intention of being anonymous.

Betsy was truly an amazing woman. Several years earlier I taught a series of classes on discovering your spiritual gifts and Betsy had been one of the participants. She was quiet and unassuming. And so full of love and grace.

During that session, Betsy learned that one of her gifts was mercy – feeling compassion for people facing difficult circumstances, and reaching out to make a difference. She had been using that gift for years, without ever having the sense that she was doing anything extraordinary. I assured her and the others in the class that when God gives us spiritual gifts, we simply need to use those gifts and He supernaturally blesses others.

That sunny day, standing at the front door, I learned that generosity comes in packages of all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it even looks like diapers. And God can take our meager offerings and supernaturally bless others in ways we may never fully understand.

What have you learned from Generosity? How can you be generous this holiday season? (Leave your comment and further the conversation.)