The Season of Giving??
I don’t even know where to begin with this, but feel that I have to sit down and get something off of my chest. I just can’t escape the reality of how easy it is to get lost in the materialism of the Christmas season. I’m a typical stay at home mom that works HARD for my family. There aren’t many things that I enjoy seeing more than my kids happy. My twins (age 2) are finally at an age where they know what a “present” is and they definitely know what a “toy” is. Needless to say, this Christmas is going to be a fun one for our household. I cannot wait until Christmas morning where I hear my kids laughing and see them enjoying opening up the presents we’ve worked hard to get them. I feel like I have been striving to maintain perspective though. We are so blessed… there is a lot that we don’t have but oh there is more that we DO have. I keep trying not to get stuck in the first world mentalities of “is my house decorated enough?” “Have I bought enough for each kid?” “”We don’t have this… or we don’t have that?” Ugh! Ultimately in the grand scheme of life, the latest toys for 2015 will not matter. You know, I was really afraid to sit down and start typing because honestly, I don’t know if anyone cares enough to read this, but I knew that I had to say something. The needs around us are so great, and if I can speak for a single mom in need, a homeless teenager or even someone who isn’t “poor,” I will speak for them. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. It was a year full of watching and learning. The Lord brought a woman in my path that was able to show me so much about Jesus through serving her and her family.
I don’t even know where to begin with this, but feel that I have to sit down and get something off of my chest. I just can’t escape the reality of how easy it is to get lost in the materialism of the Christmas season. I’m a typical stay at home mom that works HARD for my family. There aren’t many things that I enjoy seeing more than my kids happy. My twins (age 2) are finally at an age where they know what a “present” is and they definitely know what a “toy” is. Needless to say, this Christmas is going to be a fun one for our household. I cannot wait until Christmas morning where I hear my kids laughing and see them enjoying opening up the presents we’ve worked hard to get them. I feel like I have been striving to maintain perspective though. We are so blessed… there is a lot that we don’t have but oh there is more that we DO have. I keep trying not to get stuck in the first world mentalities of “is my house decorated enough?” “Have I bought enough for each kid?” “”We don’t have this… or we don’t have that?” Ugh! Ultimately in the grand scheme of life, the latest toys for 2015 will not matter. You know, I was really afraid to sit down and start typing because honestly, I don’t know if anyone cares enough to read this, but I knew that I had to say something. The needs around us are so great, and if I can speak for a single mom in need, a homeless teenager or even someone who isn’t “poor,” I will speak for them. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. It was a year full of watching and learning. The Lord brought a woman in my path that was able to show me so much about Jesus through serving her and her family.
It’s been amazing to see Jesus provide for her through not only myself but a whole army of people. It has been real love in action. She got saved this year because she saw Jesus’ love tangibly. It makes me wonder how many more people who need some help would come to Jesus so easily if we as God’s children would just love on them. In my friends moment of greatest need, the Lord used us and provided for her. Wow, what an amazing privilege. What if we as the body of Christ picked out people that God brings across our path and told the Lord, we want to help them? It could be someone who is already in your life, but it also could be a homeless person that lives on a street corner you pass daily and everyone in between. What if you started with just one person? We are often intimidated by the MASSIVE need that is in our world, but what if we started with one person? I did not have the resources to help my friend in the capacity we have helped her, BUT i was willing to help and because of that, God used my “little” multiplied it and made it “A LOT!” I am compelled to write this to encourage you to start somewhere. Help someone this holiday season. Ask God to highlight someone in your life and show you how to help… the amazing thing is… HE WILL!! Don’t get lost in materialism. If you are a believer, you already know that at some point, whether it’s tonight or 150 years from now… Jesus is coming back for us and the only thing that goes to Heaven is us… it’s not our stuff. We have the opportunity to tell anyone and everyone about how He came to save us. What if you did that for one person this holiday season? Helped them see His truth through loving on them.
I know that we all have stuff we are going through and “needs” for ourselves. My list goes on and on… BUT when we stop and LOOK for a way to give to someone else it puts our life into perspective. When we give, God has a way of healing our own hearts. When we give, we become like Jesus who gave us the best and most important gift of all..HIMSELF. Don’t be overwhelmed by this please, when I talk about “giving” it does not have to be money… What if you “gave” your time to a homeless person and prayed with them, gave them something you already have like a blanket or a sandwich? What if you “gave” a single mom a $20 gift card that you were otherwise going to spend on chick fila because you didn’t “feel” like cooking. Oh the need is great in everyone’s life that’s why I’m suggesting asking our personal God who it is that you can help. Start there. Jesus was specific in the Bible many times when He told us to give, love, feed, clothe, then give and love some more. Go outside of your box and help be a clear picture of Christ to someone. Don’t be afraid, but be BOLD.
The incredible women in my life group all gave money and gift cards that we will be giving to my friend this Christmas. Everyone did what they could do, but we worked together in the process. I believe with my whole heart that whatever you are dealing with this holiday season will be restored as you utilize the tools and gifts God has given you to help someone else. I believe that in your willingness to be used by God and bless someone else, He will in turn give you more than you could imagine.
If you need some idea’s on ways you can help someone else please let me know and I’d be glad to help point you in the right direction.