We told them, four days before Christmas day.
Christmas will be for Christ next year. In giving to others, we give to Him.
Whom He loves becoming our priority.
I have seen with my own eyes the pure joy and happiness of children in other countries, with hair matted, clothing filthy, barely enough to cover their dusty parts, shoes that do not rightfully earn the name, kicking around an empty cans as balls, with pure exuberant joy in what they have, without regard of what they don’t.
And we here, are developing a sense of entitlement that scares me.
Gathered in the living room before the fireplace, each with a laptop or iPhone in hand, reading along together the words that attempt to paint our hearts for them to see. We talk and we pray.
Christmas will be different next year. The money that would normally go to buying presents to add to our already robust lot, it may go to a family in need, to make Christmas happen for them. Maybe to someone who needs a car repair they cannot afford. Possibly for someone who needs a washer or dryer. Perhaps a missionary overseas who wants to provide shoes for villagers who have none. Whatever the need that we are to fill, as a family, we will seek God, and He will lead us to it.
Our standard is His word. We can plant and we can water, but the transformation of hearts rest in God’s hands. We will walk in faith, hearts His…
Knowing to give what is easy, is not sacrifice.
Counting all things loss as rubbish for the sake of gaining Christ.
Believing it is more blessed to give then receive.
They seem to receive it well at first. But come nightfall heaviness weighs, tears flow from their eyes, emotions run high, disappointment stings, and grief over their perceived loss.
Are we making a mistake? Is this a bit too radical? For us, this different kind of sacrifice? Is this really God? Doubt floods. Will Christmas be void of joy because the gifts will be His?
Reluctantly, I admit I wonder, but then I read in His Word. I believe Him. He will take pleasure in us.
“Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a “different kind of sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.” Hebrews 13:16 (Message)
God help us, as parents that follow You, lead the way in your Love, sharing Your Good News, demonstrating how to honor one another, living as givers, considering others interests above our own, walking the straight and narrow, heart on what is eternal, understanding that life is not defined by the material wealth we possess, and free from fear that when we choose to give it means less we will have.
Instead believing…
“God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (The Message )