The Giving Life.

It is that time of year that most people are in the giving mood. We are happily running around getting gifts for those we love. Baking tons of cookies and breads that will be given as gifts and consumed. Decorating our homes, offices and cars in holiday themes. Making everything merry and bright.

Along the way we may drop a few coins in the Red Kettles send a check to a local charity or buy a gift for a child in need. Everywhere we turn we are being asked to give, give some more, then dig deeper and give again.

If you are like me you enjoy giving and you want to help every cause you can, but you can’t. Those dollars only stretch so far.

Giving make us feel good. We enjoy making people happy and the act of presenting someone with gift and watching them open it brings us joy. Why is it better to give than receive? The Bible tells us so.

Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

Jesus was a giver. He gave to the poor, He healed the sick, He raised some from their death but most of all, He gave His life for us. Yes, Jesus was a giver.

Being a giver is a matter of the heart.

2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

All this giving and doing for others sometimes leaves us exhausted, financially broke and emotionally tired, especially this time of year. We have so much to do and it all comes at once. No matter how much we prepare for it and do what we can ahead of time, when crunch time comes, it comes with a vengeance.

God gives us hope and encourages us not to grow weary.

Galatians 6:9-10
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

  Let’s talk about the one person that sometimes we don’t give to. . . ourselves. Now I’m not telling you to go buy yourself a gift, although that isn’t a bad idea sometimes. But how about giving yourself the gift of eternal life. After this worldly life is over, you can live a life of bliss with Jesus in Heaven.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of Christ – it doesn’t cost a dime, just your obedience and commitment.

Read the plan of salvation that Jesus has for you.

May God bless you.

They’re here – The Holidays!

This Saturday is October 31st, Halloween. This just starts the wildness for our family. Not only is there Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, but we have 6 birthdays and 2 anniversaries in between. This is certainly our party time of the year.

Oh yes, we also have a Harvest Party for friends and family in mid November, only about 50 people. Think I’m getting busy yet?

When I sit down and think about all the things I want to do between now and then I feel pretty overwhelmed. I like to have everything planned out. What we are going to eat and drink, who sits where, and the gifts, oh those gifts. Each one must be perfect for each person. Searching for the right gift is one of the hardest things for me to do. Then the wrapping and bows and cards. Wow that is a lot of work.

Seeing the smiles on our grand children’s faces makes it all worthwhile. I love the holidays, no matter how tired I get.

It’s what you do when you love your family and friends. You create memories together.

Like the first time I baked a turkey and left the inners in the cavity. Turkey looked perfect and tasted great.

Or the time I peeled 10 lbs of potatoes and shoved all the skins down the disposal and it jammed up. One of my guests needed to take the sink apart to clean it out. What a mess. Mean while, one of the younger children said “is that pan suppose to have fire coming out of it?”

Or another Christmas day when it had rained for several days and the ground was like a sponge. When my brother came over and parked in the side yard, before they could get out of the car it was sinking up to the floor boards. He had to call to get it towed back out to the street. In Christmas cheer, we gave the tow truck driver a plate of Christmas cookies.

Or the Aunt that only offers to help after everything was done. Now we all take a turn being that Aunt and have a good time with it.

I could go on and on with funny antidotes about crazy things that happen during the holidays. I am sure you have your favorites to retell each year also.

Each year I vow to do better this time of the year. Be better prepared. Have the gifts purchased or made in a reasonable time. (Not waiting till the last minute to get creative.) I promise not to spend as much money, because it isn’t the cost of the gifts, but the thought behind it. Each year I do the same as I did the previous year.

Just a thought, maybe I should concentrate more on making memories with everyone instead of having everything so perfect. (Not that it is perfect). How about teaching our children or grand children that it’s not about the number of gifts they open each year.

I’m slowly going in this direction, giving a gift of experiences instead of toys that fall apart.

Here are a few of the gifts that I have given that were really a big hit with the families:

• Yearly family passes to the zoo or children’s hands on museum.
• Kayaking gift certificate.
• Movie or circus tickets.

Look around at what is going on in your area or their area if they don’t live near you. I am sure you can come up with some wonderful ideas.

Last year I created a scavenger hunt for each of my son-in-laws before they found their gifts. They had a good time with it and the kids really liked seeing their dads having to play the game. Now they have vowed to get me back this year. Oh well, we will see about that.

What kind of fun gifts have you given in the past? Share with us.