It’s the season of giving, helping in soup kitchens, adopting families, making Christmas yummies, visiting Santa, and so much more. One of the greatest attributes of Americans is our love of giving and not just during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. We have always been a country that gives and for that I am proud. Giving puts us at our best and rejuvenates humanity.
But there are things that we need to give which are not tangible.
1. Understanding. Yesterday I was waiting to check out at Target. Two ladies in front of me had 2 buggies full of toys to donate to the Toys for Tots drive. In front of them was a sweet older gentleman with batteries in his hand. In front of him, a middle-aged woman who for whatever reason was having an issue with her debit/credit card. Embarrassed, the woman was trying to remove items to get to the point where the transaction would go through. I felt the tension mounting in the 2 ladies in front of me who prior to the issue had been full of Christmas cheer, telling me all that they were doing in this season of giving. “Honestly, this is ridiculous. Can you deal with her later? We’ve got to get this to the school before 3:00,” one of them said to the cashier. And the two started. There wasn’t time. People need to manage their money better. You’re holding up the line, etc.
The cashier picked up an item that might help lower the cost to which the woman with tears in her eyes explained, “No. That’s for my son. I have to mail it today to Afghanistan.” The gentleman behind with the batteries simple walked forward, scanned his card, and whispered, “Merry Christmas.”
The woman, overwhelmed by his kindness, quietly thanked him. “My pleasure,” he said. When she left, he turned to the women behind him with the buggy of toys, “There’d be no toys to give and no purpose to give them if not for the sacrifice of that woman and her son. I hope you make your deadline.”
If we act out when others need our support, what good are we? What is the point of giving if we can’t behave in line at Target? The greatest gift we can give is understanding. George Washington Carver stated, “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. ”
2. For – Giving. It is the season for giving – yes – but also forgiving. Bitterness dwells in the hearts of so many of us and once rooted sprouts and spreads to every part of our being. Often we remark, “I can’t forgive them. They’ve just done too much damage.” You are right. They have. And continue to do so until you let it go and move on. I received a letter via email recently from a woman who had done something against me years ago. I remember thinking when I started reading the email, “Who is this?” As I read the words, the feelings of hurt and pain came back to me. I did remember what she had done but Praise God I had forgiven her long ago to the point that initially I didn’t even remember who she was.
Forgiveness is not for the person who harmed us. It is for us – to prevent clogging of the arteries around the heart, and I don’t mean plaque.
3. Smile. In the movie, PS I Love You, it is quoted, “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.” Smiles do so much for humanity. They are non-threatening ways to communicate with others. They demonstrate acceptance, compassion, and understanding. As you shop, work, go to school functions, parties and church, take the time to smile at people. One smile can change a person’s day. One smile can give hope to someone. Whenever I think of Jesus, I imagine His softness. I know He smiled and one day when I get to see Him, I intend to give Him the biggest smile back.
I work part-time for a small loan company. There is a particular lady who comes in every month to make her payment. Our manager tries diligently to make her smile. Even a little wrinkle around the corners of her mouth would satisfy him. He tells her a joke sometimes. Offers her candy. Every month when she walks out the door he remarks, “Next month, I’m gonna do it!”
Smile even if it is the last thing you want to do.
As you are out and about doing good, giving of your time and money for others, take a moment to remember ‘WHO’ you represent. Is your behavior what He would want? Make sure you represent Him well.
Even in the Mall, piled high with shopping bags, tired feet, and whining kids… God expects our best.
