I will never forget a time when I was a young teenager visiting a friends house. It just so happened I had never been in her home around Christmastime. It was from that experience that I always remember Shelly at Christmastime. Being from a family of nine, our home always had a gargantuan tree with presents literally stacked one upon another, decorations galore, and tons of food. Being a child, it never occurred to me that every house wasnt like our home. Until, that is, I walked into Shellys house. It was a very small rental that was not in good shape. There was a Christmas tree, but it was a very small one perched on a table. Tinsel was the only decoration on the tree. There were no presents. It was very strikingly different than what I always had seen in our home, and in homes of family members, and other friends. It seemed very sad in that home contrasted to the lively hustle and bustle in my home. I worried a lot about if she were going to get any gifts. I never learned if she had. Her father worked in a factory in Jasper, and her mother was on disability. Now that I am older, I understand that Shellys family was right at the poverty line; able to make rent, buy food and clothes, but not able to pay for extras, especially lots of gifts and special food for the holidays. I always remember Shelly each Christmas and my experience in her home. Because of that experience, Ron Rhodes and I decided about seven years ago to not buy anything for each other. We only focused on giving Jordan presents. We, too, ended buying gifts for our families. Instead, we give money to a charity in their names, and give a certificate to them explaining the gift. No one in the Birge family or in the Rhodes family wants for anything; nor needs anything. Giving gifts in their names is really what we are called to do in life. Then we can receive the gifts of seeing our families at Christmas, sharing fellowship, laughter, and love. Over the last few decades, I have changed from being the queen of gift-giving of the best of presents, to now seeing that as nonsense, as no one in our families needs a thing. But those who we gave money to do; families like Shelley who live paycheck to paycheck. For those are the ones; especially the families with children, who are in true need of things. We never again will buy gifts for anyone. Instead, we will always give a donation in their name; what the true meaning of the season is all about. I ask that you remember the enormous amount of families who not only do not have a Christmas as I knew growing up, but who are also struggling even more so during the Christmas season, and feeling stressed. I am most certainly counting my blessings this Christmas season. May those who are struggling feel the joy of opening presents and wonderful Christmas fare through the generosity of others. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed. - Proverbs 19:17
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 00:10:56 +0000