Generosity
Tis the season of giving. The requests for donations to various causes, are pouring in. Santa is reminding us to be nice, not naughty. The Salvation Army is ringing those bells in front of stores which still allow such activity. Kids are already drooling over the desires of their hearts being fulfilled on Christmas morning. They may just get that latest toy, especially if Mom, (Santa's "assistant"), decides that the family purse can fork over those dollars, without catching financial pneumonia. How can we be generous at this time of year? Let me count the ways.
This Christmas is different. The financial Grinch beat Santa to the punch. Instead of hearing "Ho, ho, ho, some folks are yelling "no, no, no," as they are handed their pink slips. What does a Dad tell his family as his paycheck becomes invisible just before the onset of all of the jolliness of Christmas? Well, "necessity is the mother of invention." The family can now be "generous" with family time. Mom and Dad can both rediscover their talents for craft and make this Christmas an old-fashioned one with decorations made by the family. Children get those "must have" toys and they lose interest after about two hours of playing with them. They may not know it now, but time spent "wrastling" on the floor of the den, will have a longer "shelf life," when they grow older and reminisce about their wonderful childhoods. Even those kids who are not blessed to have an idyllic childhood, will remember kindnesses. I know that I do.
An elderly soul who is spending his or her last days on this earth, may not be up to running a marathon, but he or she is always up to receiving visitors, even just to tell tales of youthful times. Be generous with your time and listen to the stories that you have already heard about a million times, as if you are hearing them for the first time. Your loss of an hour or two of your "precious" time, could end up being priceless to both you and that shut-in.
If the Grinch did not get to your house and you have disposable versus disposed income, share a little with your favorite charity or even with an individual who is backed up against a wall of need with nowhere to turn. Turn up on doorsteps with a bags of staples and goodies for the kids. You will be twice blessed, by the grateful recipients, and by your God. "Adopt" a family for Christmas,
This financial downturn could prove to be the best thing that happened to us. We may be forced to rediscover that it is not the material "stuff" we accumulate that fills our hearts hearts with lasting peace and joy. As much as we humans love our stuff, whether we want to admit it or not, it is the human interaction upon which we thrive. I know that I get more pleasure hearing a kind word, getting a pat on the back, or a hug, than "falling into the arms" of the latest piece of steel or plastic. With the last name of "Christmas," I have always felt compelled to give, especially around this time of year. I even have some kids fooled into thinking that Santa and I text! This year I cannot be as generous as I have been with material things, but I am sure not going to lose opportunities to be generous with my talents, my love and caring. Especially this year, I have been the recipient of such unheralded generosity that I have to "pay it forward."
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
1 Timothy 6:17-18
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Proverbs 3:27-28
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
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