It’s that time of year again—the season of giving, volunteering at soup kitchens, adopting families, baking Christmas treats, visiting Santa, and so much more. One of the most cherished qualities of Americans is our love for giving, and it’s something that extends beyond just the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. We have always been a nation that gives, and for that, I am proud. Giving brings out the best in us and revitalizes humanity.
But there are gifts we need to give that aren’t tangible.
- Understanding. Yesterday, while waiting in line at Walmart, I watched two women in front of me, each with a cart full of toys for the Toys for Tots drive. Ahead of them stood a sweet, older man holding a pack of batteries. In front of him was a middle-aged woman who, for some reason, was having trouble with her debit/credit card. Embarrassed, she began trying to remove items to make the transaction go through. I could feel the tension growing in the two women behind me, who had previously been full of Christmas cheer, chatting about their charitable contributions this season. “Honestly, this is ridiculous. Can you deal with her later? We have to get this to the school before 3:00,” one of them snapped at the cashier. They began to complain about the hold-up, judging the woman for not managing her money better and slowing down the line.
The cashier, seeing the woman’s distress, picked up an item to help lower the cost. The woman, tears in her eyes, explained, “No. That’s for my grandson. I need to mail it to him today.” The elderly man with the batteries stepped forward, scanned his card, and quietly whispered, “Merry Christmas.”
The woman, overwhelmed by his kindness, murmured, “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he replied.
If we can’t show kindness and understanding in simple moments like waiting in line at Walmart, what is the point of all our giving? The greatest gift we can give is understanding. As George Washington Carver said, “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.”
- Forgiving. Yes, it’s the season for giving, but it’s also the season for forgiving. Bitterness can take root in our hearts and, if left unchecked, spreads throughout our lives. We often tell ourselves, “I can’t forgive them. They’ve done too much damage.” And you’re right—what they did was painful. But holding onto that bitterness only continues the damage until you let it go. Recently, I received an email from a woman who had wronged me years ago. As I read it, I remembered the hurt she caused. But I was also surprised to realize that, by God’s grace, I had forgiven her long ago. At first, I even had trouble remembering who she was.
Forgiveness isn’t for the person who hurt us—it’s for us. It frees our hearts from the burden of resentment and allows healing to take place.
- A Smile. There is a popular quote: “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.” A smile can do wonders for humanity. It’s a simple, non-threatening way to communicate kindness. It shows acceptance, compassion, and understanding. As you shop, go to work, attend school events, parties, or church, take a moment to smile at people. One smile can brighten someone’s day, and one smile can offer hope. When I think of Jesus, I imagine His gentle spirit, and I know He smiled often. One day, when I finally see Him, I intend to give Him the biggest smile back.
Smile—even if it’s the last thing you want to do.
As you go about spreading good cheer and giving your time and resources to others, take a moment to reflect on who you represent. Is your behavior aligned with His example? Remember to represent Him well, even in the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, with shopping bags piling up, tired feet, and whiny kids, God expects our best.
