A Christmas Story

So, it has been a while. My journaling often goes in spurts. I hope everyone had a blessed and amazing Christmas. We did. This year was positive in many ways.

My whole family was together for Christmas for the first time in 3 or 4 years. So that was just wonderful. We all squeezed into my house. We had a great time.

My kids truly seemed thankful for what they got and did not keep asking for more things. That is huge in my book.

Our Community Group adopted a family in need this year for Christmas. Everyone in our group gave so generously I was so excited and happy to deliver all the gifts to the family. When we did I was so overwhelmed. From the looks of things this family was really in need. So I was so happy that we had done this.
Then a few days after we delivered these gifts we found out from a friend, who happens to be a Pastor of a church down the road from where our adopted family lives, that this family has been in need for the last twenty years. He said that his church has helped this family many, many times. My heart sank. It sank because I felt duped. It sank because I was mad that this family was taking advantage of the kindness of strangers. It sank because as a Christian I was not sure how I was supposed to react to something like this.
I shared my frustration with a friend of mine and she shared some very wise words. She simply said, "remember who you are serving." Those words took a few moments to settle in but when they did my whole attitude changed. My heart was full again. This time instead of relying on people for that fulfillment I was relying on God. I serve a loving, all powerful and merciful God. I realized that when I give something and that something does not turn out the way I want I should not stop giving. God has a greater purpose than I can comprehend and that is why I will from now on, "REMEMBER WHO I AM SERVING," when I give from my heart.

So, I encourage each and everyone of you to continue or start giving because we never know how God is going to use it.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Generous New Year!!!