Proper Perspective

I think every parent wants to try and give their child the proper perspective of this season. Our kids are overwhelmed with the idea of wants turned into absolute needs and how do we possibly combat that? How do I, as a parent who desires to grant every wish, bring to light giving rather than receiving, and a joy filled heart? This year Shane and I felt convicted that we needed to try something, and Nathan's dear Aunt Tess is the "go to" woman when it comes to community outreach so we knew we could find something. Every year Tess helps collect for needy families, then with volunteer help spends the 3 days before Christmas wrapping and delivering gifts and food. We jumped at the chance to take the older three in hopes of showing them that they are blessed and in turn this is how to bless others. While we did not hit the nail on the head, in fact we had to have a moment in the car of blunt truth....saying "These families will not have gifts under their tree if we do not help and how does that feel?", I think if we continue to model this type of behavior God will work on their hearts. We delivered to 7 very poor, and needy families a basket full of gifts, a box of food for a king and a turkey for their holiday meal. We are blessed!!! They smiled and greeted us with such joy and humble hearts how can we not feel overwhelmed at the gift God gave to us? And the most touching moment was at the last house when the kids came out with homemade cards and colored pictures saying thank you. All I wanted to say to them was, "No, thank you for showing me your love!"


This is Tess with all of us before we got started today.

Many, many baskets of gifts!

Samantha and just one of several boxes of food.

And the greatest gift of today...our thank you cards!!!


Thank you LORD, for this gift of giving. You bless our hearts daily with your provision and we were blessed today by all the little, happy faces you provided for this Christmas. Thank you for your unbelievable gift...amen!