You Can’t Beat God Giving


You Can’t Beat God Giving

Bren Sheriff, CSA

What if the best gift you give this holiday season doesn't come in a box, have a price tag, or require a trip to the mall? What if it is something you give with your time, your talents, and a little concern for somebody who may be feeling forgotten?

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, we are surrounded by messages about family, fellowship, giving, and joy. Yet, while some homes are filled with laughter and celebration, others are painfully quiet. Some of our elders are grieving the loss of a spouse, missing family members who live far away, or spending another holiday alone. Others may have family nearby but rarely receive a visit or a telephone call.

We cannot always change someone's circumstances, but we can make sure they know they have not been forgotten.

That, my friends, is the spirit of the holidays we need to celebrate!  Let us teach our young folks that the true spirit of the holiday season is caring and sharing; and that what we do for others does not always come with a price tag.  No, it’s all about showing up for someone with little more than a smile and perhaps a hug to let them know that they are valued.

If you are blessed to have family and friends who gather around your table, why not extend that blessing to someone who may not have the same good fortune?

Invite an older neighbor or relative to join your family for dinner. Include someone who lives alone in your holiday plans. If transportation is a problem, offer a ride. If someone has difficulty getting around, bring the celebration to them.

And don't stop when the decorations come down.

A weekly telephone call can give someone something to look forward to. Shoveling a neighbor's snow, offering a ride to the grocery store, bank, or doctor's office, or stopping by to see whether everything is all right can make an enormous difference. These are not grand gestures. They are simple acts of kindness that say, “You matter to me.”

Young people, I am talking to you, too. Your grandparents, older relatives, former teachers, church members, and longtime neighbors have stories to tell and wisdom to share. Don't wait until a funeral to discover how much you could have learned from them. Call. Visit. Listen. Laugh together.

Now, let's talk about something many of us remember: family gatherings where the entertainment didn't have to be hired because the talent was already in the room!

Why not bring that tradition back?

Plan a family fun night. Let everybody show off a talent. Somebody can sing, another can dance, someone else can play an instrument, and that cousin who thinks they are the funniest person in the family can tell jokes. Invite the children to participate, too. You may discover a budding comedian, musician, or dancer right in your own family.

Make it a potluck, with everyone bringing a favorite dish. Keep it simple, affordable, and full of laughter. The purpose is not to impress anybody. It is to enjoy one another.

You can also plan an evening of cookie baking, making Christmas ornaments, or decorating the tree together. Let the children and elders work side by side. Tell family stories while you decorate. Make ornaments that reflect family memories, and add a new one each year.  I know that it sounds corny, but these were the things our skinfolks used to do when I was a child.  It was fun and gave us something to look forward to every year.

These activities do more than save money. They create traditions, strengthen relationships, and give younger generations memories they will carry long after we are gone.

Here is another idea for your family gathering. Place several mugs upside down on a table, with two choices for each person. Underneath each mug, hide a small surprise: a gift card, a little spending money, a favorite treat, or a handwritten note expressing love and appreciation.

Let each person choose two mugs to turn over and discover their surprises. The prizes don't have to be expensive. A note that says, “I thank God for having you in my life,” or a coupon promising a loving hug, a home-cooked meal, or help with a household chore may become the most treasured gift of the evening.

The fun is in the surprise, the laughter, and the thought behind the gift—not the amount of money spent.

Of course, we should enjoy the holidays without creating financial problems for the new year. Set a spending limit, plan your purchases, and be careful about charging gifts you cannot afford to repay. A $600 credit-card balance at 20% annual interest, paid at $50 a month, could cost approximately $75 in interest over about 14 months, assuming no additional purchases or fees.

But let us not become so concerned about what we cannot afford to buy that we overlook what we can afford to give.

We can give our time. We can share our talents. We can open our homes, make a telephone call, offer a ride, or simply sit beside someone who needs companionship.

This holiday season, if you have family and friends to celebrate with, count your blessings—and then look around to see who else could use a little of that joy.

The true spirit of the holidays is not just gathering with the people we love. It is making sure others know they are loved, too.

Let's carry that spirit from Thanksgiving through the New Year and into every season that follows. After all, the greatest gift we can give one another is the assurance that nobody has to face life feeling forgotten.

This holiday season, I challenge every family to do more than count its blessings. Put those blessings to work!

Before Thanksgiving arrives, identify one older relative, neighbor, church member, or friend who could use a little more companionship. Make the call. Extend the invitation. Offer the ride. Shovel the snow. Set aside time each week to check in. And if you are blessed with a home filled with family and friends, make room for someone who might otherwise be sitting alone.

Young people, don't assume the elders in your life are doing fine simply because they don't ask for help. Reach out. Ask questions. Listen to their stories. Let them know their presence still matters.

And elders, don't underestimate what you have to offer. Your laughter, wisdom, stories, talents, and love are gifts your families need. Take the lead in creating new traditions that bring generations together.

Hebrews 13:16 reminds us, “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” In other words, our faith is demonstrated not only by what we profess, but also by the good we do and the care we extend to others.

Let's make a commitment that no one within our reach will have to wonder whether anybody cares. We may not be able to solve every problem or erase every lonely moment, but we can make a telephone call, open a door, share a meal, and offer a helping hand.

Let the spirit of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year live in our actions long after the decorations are put away. Start with one person. Make one connection. Do one thoughtful thing—and keep doing it.

Because the greatest gift is not what we put under the tree. It is the love we put into action.

Let's make caring for one another a family tradition, not just during the holidays, but all year long. Yes, let's get our houses in order—not just financially, but in our hearts.  Go ten toes down to showing that you care and watch God’s blessings flow into your life.  Remember, you can’t beat God giving….

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ: What is the ending date of open enrollment for Medicare this year?

Answer to Last Week's Quiz: A reliable way for a voter to determine how an elected official has performed is to follow the rankings of an Independent Government Accountability and Performance Organization.


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Disclaimer: The illustrations and examples presented in this column are not, nor are they intended to be, legal, financial, tax, insurance, or other licensed professional advice. Readers should consult the licensed professional of their choice regarding their individual circumstances.



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