I love this time of the year, the colorful trees, the decorations, the music, and the food—too much to choose from. But one of my favorite parts of this season is the giving. Watching everyone around me amplifying the spirit of giving is so heartwarming. Although many tend to give throughout the year, there is something special about giving during the Christmas season; when a family realizes their financial limitations and has a stranger come alongside them to help make that Christmas memorable. I’ve had my fair share of Christmases spent in poverty where my parents couldn’t afford anything, but organizations like Open Doors and Horizons made it all more special. I would be remiss not to express my overwhelming gratitude for their generosity and for the memories that I have cherished twenty years later.
As a parent, one of the most important traits and yet one of the most challenging to teach is giving. Characteristics like empathy and understanding can be complicated for children to grasp. However, my husband and I have worked very hard to remind our girls of my past, how little I had, and the abundant blessings they have today. We teach them the art of gratitude even for the smallest toy they receive; we show them videos of children around the world to express what others are suffering through and encourage giving at every opportunity we get.
One of our favorite ways to give each November is through Operation Christmas Child. We fill shoeboxes with various toys and supplies and give them to OCC to ship to children worldwide. My girls love shopping for this event and helping put packages together. This year, living in a new neighborhood, we decided to open it up for our neighbors. Most had never heard of this organization. By the end of the day, we had twenty-six people in our basement filling boxes, writing letters, and praying over the boxes, for a total of thirty-five boxes.
I’m not telling you this to brag about our giving, but to encourage you to get involved. Today is giving Tuesday, and there are endless organizations and opportunities for you to reach out and make a difference. Remember, giving can be carried out differently for each; you can donate your time, money or even connect those in need with those who can help. The spirit of giving goes beyond the wallet.
How will you and your family impact the world today?
