A SEASON OF GIVING
During December there are lots of “needs” that come to our attention. You will see the Salvation Army bell ringers outside of stores and you will see Angel Trees with cards of requests from children attached to them. As a store owner, I can tell you that the requests for donations rise during November and December. It seems like everywhere you turn there is someone wanting money or donations from you. Go Fund Me pages are everywhere and you can’t watch television without seeing commercials asking for money for children, animals, weather victims, etc. I think we can get “giving fatigue” if we are not careful.
It is like going to the movies and seeing someone shot and killed on the screen. We have become numb to seeing devastation because we see it so much on television, the movies, or our computers. Mass shootings now seem like just another day and we feel bad for just a short period of time and then go on about our daily life. What I am trying to say is that these people who are in need don’t have faces, we don’t think of them as being a real person. OR, we wonder why we work so hard for what we have only to hand it over to someone we feel might not really deserve it. Do they work? Are they spending frivolously? Are they on drugs? Do they drink too much? How many kids do they have, isn’t it time they stopped having them if they can’t take care of them?
I think we would all be kidding ourselves if we didn’t admit that we have thought this way at least once. I know it is not MY job to judge someone but it is hard. I know that I am supposed to give “freely” but that is hard! There are a LOT of verses that tell us that giving is EXACTLY what we need to do, not just in December.
Luke 6:37-38 – 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Romans 12:13 – 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Matthew 25:44-45 – 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
There are many ways that we can give without having to write a check. You can give the gift of listening. Sometimes we just need a good cry or to talk to someone. You can give the gift of a meal. There are people who you could invite over for a dinner or take a meal to them. You can offer to babysit for a new and stressed mother. You could offer to drive someone to the store. You could go grocery or Christmas shopping for someone. If you just stop to think about what you can truly give I am sure you would be amazed. Giving the gift of yourself is what so many people need.
I thank you, Lord, for giving us the ultimate gift of your son. I pray that we will give as freely to others as you have given to us.
Please list some ways to give and bless others. Your idea might be a blessing to someone else, either who is reading this or who will be the recipient.
Have A Blessed Sunday!
Donate food to a food pantry.
When I give to an organization or person it’s hard not to wonder if the money or gift will be put to good use. But, I’ll leave the judging up to God. If I only give to those who meet my standards, that defeats the purpose. I believe God wants us to give freely and with a generous heart. Thank you, Tania.
Can you tell me the size you ordered and if it’s true to size for the blue Halogen shirt you had in yesterday’s post. I love it and would like to order one. Mostly concerned about the bust area. Mine are bigger than I’d like and not in proportion to my hips…thus pretty much an apple shape. Thanks so much…love your blog.
Hi, Judy. Mine is a size large and it fit fine. Thanks for following the blog.
Thank you for sharing your Jesus w/us and reminding us why we celebrate Christmas, Tania! And I loved your outfit yesterday!
Thanks, Charlcy! The hustle and bustle of Christmas can wear on everyone.
Powerful and real messageTania. It is easy to be judgemental and I see myself in all of your comments. Your words encourage compassion and I thank you for that reminder!
I see myself in all those comments too, Donna. I have been guilty and probably will continue to judge when I know that I shouldn’t.
This was just what I needed to hear today. I used to do the angel tree, Salvation Army and many other volunteer hours or donations during Christmas, but have gotten away from that in the past few years. The most rewarding Christmas tradition was when I anonymously did the 12 days of Christmas, leaving small gifts to someone in need for 12 days. The person I am picking this year does not need financial help, she needs spiritual help. She has been caregiver for her elderly husband and when I saw her last night, she was really down in the dumps. She is emotionally and physically drained. Thank you Tania for reminding me what this season is about. I am already getting in the Christmas spirit!!
Teresa, I love that you recognize her need and are going to act on it. We are bad to sometimes look the other way and assume someone else will step up.
What a thought provoking blog. Thanks for taking the time each day to speak to your followers.
Thanks, Connie. I do try to bring something thoughtful to my Sunday post. I am glad that you enjoy them.
I love your blog- you are so transparent , you have just given your readers an invaluable gift —-thanks for sharing your heart.
Sandy is so right. I could write a book but will practice restraint here. Care giver fatigue is very real. Suppport those who are caring for your parent or step up and assume the responsibility yourself.
I am sure that it is real. I can’t imagine the burden you feel and the heartbreak of watching a loved one decline in health. You are a blessing to them and I know they appreciate the love and care.
That is so nice of you, Marilyn. ?
A young man gave me a long, drawn out sob story last week, then asked for money. I knew he was lying when he threw in the part about taking his grandmother grocery shopping. I gave him $10 and told him to pay it forward. It was not cheerful giving as directed from above; I figured that God will deal with it.
It is hard when you KNOW they are lying. That is “their” problem and you did a nice thing. There is a young man who frequents our work selling these homemade whirly-gigs that are horribly ugly. I have bought and bought them just because I wanted to help. Then, I started telling him I had plenty. I really did have plenty but that wasn’t the reason I didn’t buy them. I started to “feel” like he thought I was an easy “target.” I wasn’t giving freely. Then I started seeing him around town a lot. It seemed like everywhere I looked he was there. I felt like it was God giving me a hint. The next time he came into work I gave him the money and told him to just keep the whirly-gig and sell it or give it to someone else. I felt better about everything. The funny thing is, he hasn’t been back since.
This is thought provoking. What comes to mind is caring for elderly parents. Many times when one of the children live farther away, it is assumed the one living closest, automatically gets to do more, just because they live closer. It is important to do an equal share and pitch in. Don’t leave it all on one person. Thank you Tania for this Sunday message, you always have a good one. Blessings to you.
I can imagine how hard it is to care for aging parents or any loved one. If you live close I can see that the majority of the care would fall to you. I can also imagine that the person who lives away would feel guilty about not being able to do more and also for not being able to be there for their loved one. It would be hard. I know that not everyone could leave their work and family to be able to split the share of responsibilities. It is a dilemma.