Last night I had the privilege to join our church youth group on a can food drive. It was cold - it was slippery - and after a short while it became all too obvious - that I don't do enough walking or heavy lifting anymore.
It was all those things - but it was also a great deal of fun. Our church, with the help of many people from our community, gives out emergency food hampers throughout the year and large Christmas hampers during the holiday season. This benefits a good number of people in our area. It's a big help to those who receive but it's an even bigger help to those who choose to give.
I believe that God created us all in His image - and He is a giving God. He gave us life; He gave us free will; He gave us His love and grace in sending His Son and He continually gives us an invitation to live our lives by following Jesus' example.
God also gave us the wonderful capacity to love Him and to love one another.
As we gear up for the holiday season I encourage you to keep your focus on giving. Give of your time and give of your resources. As you do - you will discover the unchanging truth that it is actually better to give than to receive.
I believe we don't fully enjoy what we have until we share it with someone else.
We are not truly thankful for what we have until we make the choice to bless some one with it.
I have found that a simple meal shared with friends will always be far better that a feast that is eaten alone.
The proverbial "grass is greener on the other side" is a delusion.
The grass is greener where it is watered. A full life is always going to be a life of giving. It will never be a life that is stingy, greedy and uncaring - that life will inevitability be lived alone.
A full life is not found in gathering riches. A full life is found in
giving to others.
So this season and through out the next year I encourage you to give to others.
Be a volunteer with the Salvation Army. Shovel your neighbour's driveway when they are away.
Give up your seat on the bus to that person with all the packages.
Let the other guy get the best parking space as you race for the mall.
Avoid any and all sign language when some one cuts you off in traffic. As you buy presents for the kids... also buy something really nice for someone who would never expect you too. And above all - keep your heart open to the joy that is always found in the simple act of giving.
