This is the time of year that is ripe for the harvest of giving. If not channeled correctly, this season can also lend itself to there being more focus on the receiving.
Acts 20:35b
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Ever since my children were wee ones I have drilled into their head this verse and all along the way wondering if they were really getting it. I’d listen to them while they watched Saturday morning cartoons and this is what I’d hear, “I want that. I want that. I want that.” at every commercial. I thought for sure I was failing as a parent.
But then as my children have gotten older, I’ve heard more and more of my words of wisdom about giving coming out of THEIR mouths. The best part has been seeing their actions follow their words. It gives me no greater joy during this season (or anytime of year for that matter) to see them scurrying around and secretly making gifts for each other. Some of their ideas are brillant and some are…interesting to say the least, but hey, what is a gift anyway? Bought or made, it is to be from the heart. That is what matters.
A few things come to mind as I think about all of the giving going on around here. First, most of the gifts come from them making gifts for each other. This year, The Negotiator even branched out into making gifts for his friends. A friend of mine taught him how to make God’s Eyes with all of our extra yarn. He acted like it was a dumb idea at first, but then he changed his mind and has been making them non-stop for his list of friends. It is so fun to see him planning it out, picking out just the right colors, making the gifts for each person, wrapping them up and then…the giving. I love the joy on his face as he gives his creation. I see the same joy in the faces of each of my children as they create things from the supplies in our home and then give it to their sibling.
Another way my children have the opportunity to give to one another is by taking their annual special shopping trip with my parents. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my parents take one child out to lunch–a place of their choice–and then on to shopping at the dollar store. They get to pick a gift out for each person in the family and then on to Nana and Papa’s house to wrap each one. It is so funny to listen to the stories of where they pick to eat and how they shop. Some meticulously pick out each gift. Some just throw things in the basket at a rapid pace as they walk down the aisles. Hearing how they wrap the gifts is hysterical also. Some don’t give a flying leap and toss the gifts into the bags and leave the details for my parents to do. Others are there for A LONG TIME wrapping each gift with care. Any guesses on which children fall into each category?
Now obviously their choices are limited at the dollar store, but I love Christmas morning and seeing what they chose for each person. I’ve gotten some pretty interesting gifts. I usually end up displaying those in my bathroom “so I can enjoy seeing them every day.” (Wink, wink)
My favorite, although not for me, was the year Mini-Me gave The Driver some deodarent. I almost pee’d my pants laughing at the look on his face when he opened it. I could see in that moment that he was trying to decide what he should think about his daughter giving him deodarent, but I knew right away why she’d chosen it. Her heart was good. Earlier in the week, she’d been in the bathroom when The Driver casually mentioned to me that he was almost out of deodarent. She saw a need a filled it. Simple as that!
That verse really was right. It is definately more blessed to give than to receive and I’m thankful to see that my kids are getting it right! For more of my thoughts on this, click “Christmas” in the labels on my sidebar.
