What Did You Give?

Today was our last day of speech class and we were finishing the final speeches- persuasive. One of the speakers today challenged us with this: "Instead of asking all of your friends what they got for Christmas, ask them what they gave."

This speech inspired me to be more focused on giving than receiving this holiday season, and I would encourage you to do the same! What would you be able to say, when at they end of the season you were asked, "What did you give?"


Here are some great giving options/ideas for this Christmas:


- send a Christmas care package to soldiers www.loveboxesforourtroops.com. The website gives easy, step by step instructions and all you need (except the items to fill the box! You have to get those yourself!) The best part is there is no deadline for these! They could even be after Christmas! Kate and I (and maybe Monz too...but she doesn't know about this yet...) are going to put together a box this weekend to send!


- put together shoe-boxes for the homeless and deliver them to your local mission or hand deliver them when you see them on the streets. (If you hand deliver them, be safe and be friendly. Maybe bring hot chocolate and cookies and talk for a bit too. They needs friends just as much). Ideas for what to put in the boxes would be: McDonald's gift cards, warm socks, gloves, hats, etc, long underwear, snacks (healthy), personal hygiene, flashlights & batteries, notes of encouragement, small Bibles, etc.


- talk to your local church pastor to find out about a family or individual in need and deliver Christmas to them. Arrange to bring presents for each family member and holiday snacks and cheer! Or invite them to a holiday dinner with your family.


There are many other ways or options as well! I would encourage you to find at least one option that fits with your family/budget. No matter how small or how big, I'm sure you can do something. Even just a plate of cookies for the neighbors. And remember God has a special place in his heart for the broken, homeless, poor, lonely, and needy. Do you have room in your heart?


"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42


"'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me...whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"
Matthew 25:40, 45