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:
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.
We always find a family at Christmas time to bless whether it’s someone in our church or one of our extended family members that has struggled and can’t give their children Christmas. This year we’re helping out my sis-in-law that has had a rough year. She’s been through so much and couldn’t afford to buy my nephew Christmas.
Operation Christmas Child shoebox program becomes a family affair at our house. We also donate to the elementary school food drive which helps families at the school for Thanksgiving.
I have been made aware of a family whose dad losses his job and he has 2 teenage girls who work fast food and give their parents their checks to help support the family. I decided to go thru my jewelry that I do not wear and share it with these girls the mom took the bag put it in her purse thanked me and said she was gonna wrap it and give it to them for Christmas. My heart was so happy yet so broken for this family. I am now searching for more ways that I can bless this sweet family for Christmas.
Operation Christmas Child, Angel trees, buying groceries for those in need. I love giving!
“Tis the season to give!”
Tis the season to give! Interesting book.
We were a recipent of a food basket for Christmas in 1991, so now every year I take cards or tags from Angel trees and fill them for kids that need something for Christmas. I feel that giving back in such a small way helps share the love of Christ , and I make what I call a “Jesus Kit”, sharing Christ in every package. PTL!
We support our missionaries at church through an alternative giving campaign.
Last night we took our acteens group to buy food for the local backpack program. It is such a good reminder for us all that some families around us don’t even have enough to eat. For the girls, I think it is a wake up call to think that the kids they walk the hallways of school with are going to need food for the two week Christmas break!
“Tis’ the season to GIVE!”
Tis the season to Give
Our family picks one person in our lives each month of the year. We pray for that person and do special little things to bless them. We never tell them, but the Lord knows them and blesses them as only He can.
We do Shoe boxes and participate in giving to others with our children’s Awana group. O
I try to bake cookies for the widows, elders , homeless and those that may not be able to do so for their families.
Tis the season to give!
We have passed along things we don’t need to others that do need them.
We bought a desk/chair for a school that is being built in Honduras. We also, in lieu of giving gifts to each other, are supporting orphans through Show Hope.
‘Tis’ the season to give
Time is the biggest gift I have given and have been given. We don’t have much money, but time is irreplaceable and so much more valuable.
In the past 3 years we have opened our hearts and our home to give two children a home and a family to love them. Although we nearly had an empty nest we felt God calling us to give of our time, resources, and emotions to give them each what they were needing. In the process of giving we have been BLESSED.
Donating to a family in need.
Tis’ the season to GIVE!
Tis the season to give!!
For the last three years, my husband and I have participated in Operation Christmas Child where we fill a shoe box. It’s so fun to go shopping for little children and imagine their faces when they receive their boxes.
My kids dont know why i give rather than yard sale–part is selfish- not having the hassle –but mainly–want to pass on the blessings!