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Christian Living

Family

Mommy and the Joyful Three 12/19/11

Be a Cheerful, Giving Family


This holiday season, I have noticed the wonderful joy that others are spreading around me. Maybe I never noticed it before or maybe it is something in the air, but I have witnessed one random act of kindness after another this Christmas.

I have always wanted to show my children that giving to others is the best way to live life. No earthly possession matters enough to be selfish about it.

As a family, we donate to toy drives, food banks and nursing homes. And though its great to give at Christmas, it’s vital that we parents show them that giving is a year-round event.

Recently, I witnessed a lady walk up to a complete stranger and offer assistance in buying her children Christmas presents this year. Before the stranger’s kind gesture, the mother looked overwhelmed and sad. This generous woman made her day and helped her have something for her children to open on Christmas morning.

Another time, I saw a man buy groceries for the man in front of him at the checkout line. This holiday generosity is simply contagious. It’s the love and giving character of God in people’s hearts.

Giving is not just about offering physcial aid. It’s about giving of yourself – your time, encouragement and love. A smile can be the most beautiful attribute about a person and it can brighten someone’s day just to see it. Stranger’s kind holiday greetings bring joy to my heart.

My children are generous smilers, especially my oldest. She inherently wants to heal broken hearts and create peace everywhere she goes. I love this quality in her and encourage it.

Unfortunately sometimes when we give, we can get hurt. I don’t ever want my children to let that detour them and we, as adults, should not either.

Remember to teach your child that we never give expecting anything in return. Always give with a happy heart and in love.

To discover new ways of giving, simply look around and determine what could bring a smile to someone’s face. Let  your kids help decide what to do and who to bless.

My middle daughter bought candy for a child whose mother had said in the store she could not afford it. When she gave the girl the candy, it not only made the little girl smile, but also blessed my daughter.

My oldest daughter has her own way of giving of her heart and spirit. She has been making cards for people since she was about three. Anyone she knows who is having a bad day will get the most beautiful card full of pictures she drew.

With my two year old, it is more about teaching him to share. He is at an age where everything is “his”. I have to be careful to remind him that we should share all we have. He does not understand that quite yet, but he will.

No matter what you do, people may disappoint you. Please don’t let that get you down. We are meant, as Christians, to let go of bitterness and remember that God’s plan is more important than others’ actions.

Be a giving role model to your children and they will adopt that tradition in their lives.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7, KJV

Give of yourself and show your children that holding back is not the way to live healthy and happy.

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