What Are You Giving?

Yesterday I came to my senses. I completely came to my selfish, and unreasonable, senses.

This is my favorite time of year. The holiday love that seems to infect everyone, the music, the hot chocolate, the shopping, the cooking, the decorations being put up through the small town I live in, and simply the feeling in the air. It all makes me SO overwhelmed with happiness, but yesterday I had a moment of weakness that brought tears to my eyes and a sick feeling sat in my stomach.

Every year I have family and friends asking me, "What do you want for Christmas?" and "Write me a Christmas List Emma." The last few years I've found myself struggling to write out a Christmas List when it was the time to, because I couldn't find anything I want enough for someone to spend money on me. So I go LOOKING, and I go SEARCHING, for gifts for people to give me. I am a selfish person. I am such a selfish person when there are children and people within probably less than a mile of me right now who actually NEED something this Christmas, and here I am trying to find something I want?! God please help me and change my heart to be willing to reach out my hand to those who are in need.

Last night I sat in my warm cozy house watching my favorite tv show when I was reflecting on my day. I spent probably half an hour in a store at the mall looking for things to tell mom that I want for Christmas yesterday afternoon. I had no clue what I was doing at the time, but I realized later. That time would have been much better spent helping someone grocery shop for thanksgiving dinner who got laid off from their job recently, or spending time with someone who may not have any family to spend Thanksgiving with. Look up above you. What do you see? Is there a roof over your head? Do you fall asleep at night warm in your house? Did you eat breakfast this morning, or have your cup of coffee? Maybe you had the luxury of watching tv this morning or reading your favorite book. You're rich, you know? Filthy rich. You're blessed abundantly.

I've been thinking about the word "Thanksgiving" this morning, and I realized how much this word means to me personally and in general. Thanksgiving is to give thanks to God for all of the blessings we have. To me it also means to GIVE with a THANKFUL heart. Give to others who actually need something this holiday season. God gave His Son to us, so He could die that we may have life. If we're truly trying to act like Christ, we should show His love. I ask you, consider making sacrifice when it comes to asking for gifts during the holidays. I certainly will be.

WITHHOLD NOT GOOD FROM THEM TO WHOM IT IS DUE, WHEN IT IS IN THE POWER OF YOUR HAND TO DO IT. - PROVERBS 3:27

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