9th Day of Christmas with Amy Carroll

We continue with the 5th annual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways.

Each day I’m featuring one of my Proverbs 31 sisters offering a recipe, idea or memory and giving away a prize for the day!

Today’s guest?

My dear friend, Proverbs 31 speaker and director of Next Step Speaker Services:

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I stood in the aisle of my local home improvement store agonizing.  For years I muttered under my breath as I put lights on our artificial Christmas tree, but I knew that I needed to be thankful.  The tree is old now, but could I really justify buying a new one pre-lit with sparkling bulbs?

After a second trip to India last year, I’ve been evaluating every purchase in light of my relative wealth to so many of our earth’s citizens.  My family is very middle class by American standards, but statistically we’re in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world.

That realization has made me examine my spending habits and challenged me to give more.  It’s made me realize that all my blessings aren’t just designed for me.  Many are gifts meant to be passed on to others as a sign of God’s love for them.

So I stood gazing at boxes of new Christmas trees with a dilemma–to make do or to purchase?  Suddenly I had an idea that made my heart soar!  Our old tree could go to someone who wouldn’t have one otherwise instead of taking a final trip to the landfill.

I talked to a staff member at our local domestic violence shelter, and this year our gently-used and previously-loved tree will stand tall with glimmering lights in the home of a woman who has recently moved to safety and freedom.  We’re hoping to meet her, help her set up the tree and string the lights while sharing God’s tremendous love for her in a simple gift.

Giving and receiving.  That’s what this time of year is all about.  God gave the gift of His Son, and we received the most extravagant gift of love ever.  It’s our job to pass it on, and what a joy that job is!

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Today’s Giveaway:  One of the beauties of giving is that there are so many different ways to do it.  I’d love to hear how you’ve been led to give!

Leave a comment, and you’ll be included in a giveaway for:

~ a copy of The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (That’s my raggedy copy in the picture, but you’ll get a new one!)

~ an ornament made by and benefitting artisans in Haiti

~and a cute change purse made by women in Bangladesh from recycled materials.

Okay–leave a comment telling us a way you’ve given that also helped others. Or, if time is tight, just say “Tis’ the season to GIVE!”

Remember, you have until Sunday night December 16th to comment on all the posts. One grand prize winner will be chosen from among the gals who post on all 12 days! The grand prize is:

A unique advent candle display depicting Bethlehem, Mary and Jesus, with votive holders and candles nestled inside. A $50 retail value. And, along with it, a copy of my new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.

289 Comments

  1. Since being sick and money being tight, I cant give as I would like so I give of my time ..helping at local radio station in the past, church outreach fixing dinners…dinners for people getting out of prison and their familes, and I always try to go out of my way to say or do (even if small) something everyday to make someones life al ittle better or atleast make them smile :)

  2. We buy presents for kids in a local shelter, plus my daughter’s class in school raised over $1,000 to buy presents for local families.

  3. We love to give to Operation Christmas Child but we also like to help when there is a need in our community. There seems to be a lot of need this year.

  4. This year I was lead to Give in a big way. TO donate a Bible to My online Bible Study Leader so she could pass it on to a person who needs one! I think the gift a God’s word is a huge gift <3

    Merry Christmas Everyone!

  5. We chose to adopt a child through Compassion this year, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Also, in response to nudging from my daughter, we have purchased several “slave-free” gifts to give to family members. Story Company is a wonderful resource for sweet treasures.

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