Gifts for and from the Poor

There are times when I feel like I cannot be as generous as I'd like to be, especially this time of the year when we get gift catalogs - NO, not the kind you're think of, but from charitable organizations like World Vision, Partners International, and Food for the Hungry. Did you know you can buy rabbits, chickens, goats, cows, wells for clean drinking water, and even small dwellings for people who do not have these things? I've always let my grandchildren pick out something inexpensive from these catalogs to send overseas. Only last year did Stephen ask if anyone was going to eat the bunnies he picked out. I assured him that his bunnies were for breeding so the people would have lots of rabbits later if they needed meat. Whew!

Well, that aside, this year due to medical bills we decided we didn't have enough money to buy Christmas presents for the family, so I put together a book of stories to give to our family groups. Guess what my daughter pointed out to me when we visited a Starbucks last week. The slogan for this year on the Starbucks hot cup holders says,"Stories are Gifts! SHARE
Insightfully yours,
Paulita

Lavishness

I was thinking about how lavishly God prepares His banquets. There are several banquets mentioned in the Scriptures but this particular one is in Isaiah 25. It says "On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine - the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth."

The people will respond like this: "Surely this is our God, we trusted in him, and he saved us. .. let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."

When I think about this, I try to imagine how I could lavish my love on God. I think lavishness may be an attitude.

This year as I decorate my home, I will use the same decorations I always use, but my attitude will be one of lavishness. I will think about welcoming the birth of my Savior as I get out my "treasures" and place them around the rooms. I will sing the wonderful words of the Christmas carols for Him. Then I will serve my family a Christmas breakfast banquet.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita