I was reading my friend, Sharla's, blog today and she had a video I knew I had to share. It could NOT have spoken my sentiment on Christmas better. After visiting Africa a little over a year ago and seeing first hand the impact that not having clean water has on people, I was changed. The way I think about EVERYTHING is changed. But the way I think about Christmas is particularly changed. Last Christmas I went into Toys R Us to look for a few things and I left there with a heavy heart. I found myself staring at everyone's cart filled to overflowing and all the rushing around to make sure the latest & greatest toy was gotten and the only thing I could think about were these images:
I literally found it physically difficult to put things into my cart. Now I'm certainly not trying to portray myself as some righteous person who walked out of the toy store with nothing. I bought things. I just did so with a different outlook than I have ever had. I bought less. I bought a lot less and guess what....they. didn't. know. the. difference. My girls had a perfectly wonderful Christmas with toys & games etc. I say all of this because here's the thing: I realize we all want to give gifts on Christmas. I know it is magical to watch our children light up when they see what's under the tree on Christmas morning. And I truly believe God looks upon all of us with a smile on His face. He wants us to live life to the fullest. He wants us to celebrate the birth of His Son by giving to others. However there comes a point where it becomes more about the "stuff" and less about giving. If Christmas truly is about giving, why not give less to our family and also give to people who are hurting, dying, and in need. We are so blessed and fortunate to have been born where we were. Those children in the images above didn't ask to be born where they were. They did nothing to deserve starvation and a thirst that could kill. We are blessed. And we are blessed to be a blessing to others. I don't know about you, but I will always look at Christmas in a different light and I will try to fight the battle, against the grain, and instead of listening to all of the commercials that tell us and our children, "You must have this!" "You won't be satisfied until you get this!" I will watch this video:
1 comments:
Right on sister! Thank you for this. I feel the exact same. I am so thankful to you, especially since you have been blessed with the opportunity to visit countries that are dying, to be able to turn around and bless everyone around you with a beautiful perspective on what true 'meaning' is! You are just precious!!
Sharla
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