Another part of this time of year that people love is the gifts. Now, like any woman (lol) I enjoy getting gifts, but I get more joy out of giving them than receiving them. This is not something everyone agrees with or understands. Living in an area that is so poor (Rio Grande County is one of the poorest counties in Colorado and the San Luis Valley is made up of the two poorest counties in the state), and working with children who's families are struggling, I see a huge need for not only gifts, but also for food and clothing. Many families are struggling on a daily basis to just to keep a roof over their head, shoes on their feet and food on their tables and can't afford Christmas gifts for their children or some other basic necessities.
My family has been blessed with the ability to sufficiently provide for ourselves through hard work and dedication on both mine and my husband's parts and I love sharing that blessing with others. Whenever I can, I purchase gifts or make donations to help make someone else's holiday season a little brighter. Whether it's picking up a name from the giving tree at church, putting together a shoe box to send overseas, making a donation at the grocery store or buying a gift for someone else you normally wouldn't buy for "just because", it makes me feel good inside to know that I am helping someone or making them feel special. With just a few days left until Christmas, I encourage you to do the same if you are in a financial position that you can do so. Whether it's $5, a teddy bear, a can of food or box of macaroni, a coat, a scarf, a pair of gloves....families in your community can use your help. After the fires and floods this year in Colorado, hundreds of families are in need of assistance. To find out how you can help these families visit http://www.helpcoloradonow.org/.
I encourage every person reading this to seek out organizations, families, or individuals in your community, regardless of where you live...Colorado, Texas, California, New York....and make a donation or drop off a gift to help make someone else's holiday a season a little brighter and to let them know that there are people out there who care about them and their families.
When I was a child, I remember my parents buying gifts for the children of friends of ours. It wasn't that this family needed the gifts, my dad just liked to play "Santa" and I'm not sure that even to this day, that family knows who was leaving the gifts. Mom and dad would wrap a gift for each of the children and on Christmas Eve, they would leave them somewhere at their house for them to find Christmas Day. I can only imagine that these children either really believed in Santa or they knew there was someone out there who was thinking of them and made them feel special. Families who are expecting nothing for Christmas I'm sure are very appreciative of our giving and I promise that they won't forget it and neither will you. Knowing that I have helped someone have a happier holiday or get through one more day warms my heart and will warm yours as well.
Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season and if he can give his life for us, we can give this small thing for others. Show love for your neighbor this season and help out a family in need.
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