The Dollar Challenge!

Give $1 to the third person you meet each day! This little exercise comes from Paula Langguth Ryan's book Giving Thanks, The Art of Tithing (which is all about seeing tithing as thanksgiving!) Ryan recommends paying particular attention to the feelings you have and the other person has regarding the exchange. Do you both feel joyful, do either of you feel embarrassed, or unworthy, or undeserving, or somehow judging, or suspicious?

We are learning to give thanks not out of need, but out of joy. Letting go of the details, and concerns over what will happen to the gift.

For me, since I am in a house with five people (my mother-in-law is with us for a few months!) I am giving my dollar to the third person who speaks to me outside of my family, and I have added the little rule that it can not be the same person twice.

My first dollar went to Kathy R. She accepted it graciously and with humor. She latter told me she put it in the collection plate (though this was none of my business!). In the basement after the service, Sharon M came down the stairs smiling, with three one dollar bills in her hand. I had momentarily forgotten the dollar challenge, "What are those?" I asked. "People just handed them to me!" she laughed.

Thank you God for the circulation that is in our lives together!

Please share the story of your dollar below. (click comment)