Selfish or Selfless: which one will you be this holiday season?

I remember feeling so special when the holidays rolled around and we got to bless others, it was my highlight.  Oh, you thought I was going to say open presents? No, you see Christmas to me has never been about gifts, because it never was growing up. Although it broke my moms heart to tell us we just didn't have money to get gifts, it taught us the real reason for Christmas. Maybe it is just me, but growing up my mom taught us a valuable lesson around the holidays, probably not in the way she wanted but we learned regardless. From a family of seven children, the holidays were hard because money was not something that we had in abundance. Yet as a kid I never thought anything of it, I thought Christmas was about giving to others. My mom would gather together random beads, plaques and find fun card stock and buy dollar store stickers for us to make our own gifts for our grandparents and siblings. I never knew anything different until all the other kids would list off all the toys, and gadgets they wanted for Christmas. I would think to myself, what Christmas are YOU talking about, that's not how we celebrate. I would see the 25th come around and other kids would receive numerous gifts but maybe they didn't get everything they wanted, a selfish monster would arise out of the depths and all of a sudden the joy of Christmas disappeared. For years I never got gifts until my grandpa couldn't stand to see us without and decided to buy us each one gift. It was exciting, but I would rather spend time with my family and WATCH THEM open the gift I MADE for THEM!

Is Christmas about getting or giving? Is it about being blessed, or being a blessing? Both. Every year we would go to a local church for Christmas and for three days sort, distribute, and load up hundreds of Christmas food baskets. I feel the most joy and happiness during this time because I get to bless others, and guess what, in blessing others I too get blessed. See, it's a win-win situation when you place your priorities right. Think about it, if Christmas is all about you, and say you get everything you ever wanted, then that's all you get. But when you focus all your energy on giving to others, and blessing those around you, the blessings flow through you, to others, and you'll get some back. It's the principle of reaping and sowing (it's in the Bible I promise, look it up). Just like a hose gets wet from the water flowing through it, so will you get blessed by the blessings flowing through you to others. Don't sell yourself short. What's is the true purpose of Christmas? Did our savior come into this world to get or give? Jesus was born to serve rather than be served. He is God, the king of the universe, our savior; shouldn't He be the most entitled to receive the most pampering and yet He received the least. Not once did Jesus complain or cry out "woe is me, for I didn't get that which I desired". He gave, and gave and gave until there was nothing left of Him. He literally gave ALL OF HIM to BLESS YOU! That example is a radical one, a reckless abandonment that in today's world is unheard of. We are entitled to things, we are worthy of being blessed, we DESERVE IT. He deserved much more than what He received and yet He gave, knowing that ALL would REJECT Him in the end. Give whether you feel like it, give whether you have anything to give, give in spite of ill feelings, or the needs that you have. I saw my mom  give food to those in need even though we weren't sure what we would eat for dinner that night. I saw my mom give essential toiletries, or clothes to a mother in need although it was our very last and had no money to get our own. She taught me to give and watch God move. I learned that when you have the least, that is when you should give the MOST!  

I want to challenge everyone this Christmas season; man, woman, and child. Make a conscious decision to walk in selflessness rather than selfishness. Should Christmas be about getting or giving? You may give as well as get, but I am going to take it a step farther and ask if getting or giving is the focus in your home? It's all good and well if you give on the side, but think if Jesus took that approach. "Yeah, yeah I gave my word" Jesus replies, "Okay, I'll multiply some fish and bread, good enough?"...We know that wasn't good enough. He had to DIE. Are you willing to die to selfish tendencies? Are you willing to take it a step farther and not only bake cookies for a friend, or invite them over for dinner? Jesus gave all of Himself, are you willing to follow in His footsteps. Before your kids learn how to get, teach them how to give this year. Don't just tell them that Christmas is about giving, SHOW them. Presents are amazing, and trust me one of my top love languages is gifts so I feel loved this way. Try going a year without getting your kids gifts and teaching them to make, or get gifts for others. They may not like it if they're used to gifts, but it should be rewarding in the end. Choose the path Jesus took, one of selfless love!

Here's some questions to ponder and some actions to take:
1. What's the true purpose of Christmas? (I mean it, really think about this. Don't give a pat answer.)
2. What makes Christmas special to you? (Is it all about the presents or is it the hope that was born?)
3. How can you make it special for someone else? (Don't sell others short, because Jesus didn't give half, but ALL.)
4. Write down at least 5 things you can do this holiday season to bless someone else (and go all out as if you were describing what you wanted to someone else).
5. Lastly, if Jesus came to be the light and bring salvation to all, shouldn't we be just as concerned with the salvation of those around us? Write out family members, friends, acquaintances that need to know that Jesus came to SAVE THEM!


LynnCheri

Our Garden

It was the summer of 2011. I had desired my own garden ever since I was a little girl, growing up helping my mom with her huge gardens. I longed to dig up, plow, plant and water my own choice garden goodies. It was my second summer knowing Lucas and I wanted to see what he was made of... How does one find out what someone's made of? (There's many ways) Let them help in garden work that's the first step then watch them forget the garden or take care of it, this reveals a lot. This garden has taught me quite a lot about myself and Lucas in the four years it's been growing. The gardens pattern followed the pattern of our relationship. The first couple months we worked diligently on keeping it prim and weed free. We went out together to find the plants we wanted to grow and worked hard to keep them alive. We then put extras in, like mulche and bark. The days went by and our lives became full of other things, most were important but others were 'fillers'. The garden suffered. The weeds came in fast and began to choke out all the vegetation we strived to nurture. We were ill equipped to step into the mature role of tending just yet. We'd say things like I'll go tend it tomorrow but in reality tomorrow's day would fill up quick. Lucas spent more time than I did on occasion and other times I would spend more than he. There was never a unison, never a time after the beginning when we worked together to lighten the load of the other. Eventually it got so bad I couldn't take it anymore, and the garden was left unattended for about a year... Or so I thought. I would often look out the kitchen window examine the garden we both vowed to tend. The looming thistle heads and bind weed that no longer settled as the backdrop but took center stage bitterly reminded me of where mine and Lucas' relationship had come to... The weeds were too many for me, and the thorns pricked my skin. It hurt. But suddenly the view changed. The garden was seemingly clearer, but I wasn't brave enough to pull the giants looming in our garden, no but someone else was. I couldn't hope, I couldn't give rise to any thought of the bonds entangling the life in our garden to find freedom after all this time. It was too late. Or was it? The garden cleared up and was tended by someone who vowed to never let it die. This person was brave enough to pull the weeds even though the signs surrounding it shouted "Keep Out! No life beyond this point!" Even though the life was buried, underneath weeds and broken branches lay a flourishing garden of green vegetation. We chose to plant mint leaves because they are one of the strongest plants. Even if left unattended could survive drout, over-exposure to sun, weeds, and even deficit soil. Rather they grow, and grow, and grow and never stop growing. They literally take over. In light of our relationship, it takes time, effort and team work to tend this beauty between two. When there's daily pulling of weeds from the ROOT the little thistles will never be able to turn into the BIG thistles with seeded heads because once rooted out emmediately they won't spread, or grow any bigger. The bind weed that seeks to choke out plants and block out nutrients and minerals from the soil it blocks the life needed to sustain the plant. The quicker these are pulled the less likely they will be able to entangle. God designed us like our mint leaves; He designed us to be strong and vigilant in the midst of giants and grow just as fast as when our life source is threatened because someone brave is tending us. And just like Lucas was the brave one who entered into the garden to keep his vow; God also comes into our souls garden to pull out weeds, water the soil, and provide the nutrients it needs if only we'd allow Him! Our garden is beautiful and even though there are weeds and thistles, this time we're pulling the roots out as a team-with God! Three in one :)

Past. Present. Future.

Sometimes you look back at your life and think... "What was I thinking?" I do this a lot. This is the wrong question though, because what I knew then and now should not be compared so closely. I am not the same person I was (and that's a good thing) but why am I not the same person? Because of my past and what I went through. I was thinking differently then, my reasoning was flawed and has shifted a little bit every sting of pain, every tinge of miscomfort, and every war I lost at the hands of The Lord. I am different. If I wasn't I would look back with bitterness and regret, instead the times past by were all lessons learned. Those were the moments leading up to my present. If that's the case, then my present is the moment that inevitably leads to my future. Take a deep breath and let reality sink in and all the possibilities scatter across your minds eyes. But there's holes and glitches all around... Look closely and there's strings attached to long "forgotten" memories, and keepsakes. Love takes time to build and a lifetime to discover yet we throw it as if it's belonging to others. These strings cause our memorie's pages to rip and tear at the new joys unfolding... Look even closer and there's hooks that can "easily" be released but it seems to require careful precision from the pages long gone. Venture back to the start of the string and you'll find that this is where it all begin and likewise ends. One swift loop and the hold is no more; freeing your present which gives victory to your future. What were you thinking? Of the present and the day long gone rather than the unfolding of the future in the here and now.

Steady:

Lord there are days when I feel far from you and other days I feel so close. So close that I wonder why or how I felt any different. What causes this feeling, who brings it and why is it allowed? My mind reminds me of the fear and doubt while my heart points to your Spirit and truth and my soul leads me to God through Jesus. My mind goes through the teachings I myself have professed with zeal in the presence of my students and those excited for the message and those grand moments of audacious trust in God in the midst of triumph. My heart reminds me of the many times God has come through when I both stood strong and when I lost all hope; and the words He's spoken to me when I was both content and in desperation. My spirit replays all the times I have spent hours in His presence and not one moment of my dancing, kneeling, crying, laughing, praising, praying, interceeding or warring has gone unnoticed. He loves my presence more than I do, want or ever could love His. This thought both breaks my heart and brings it peace. His love is unconditional, never ending and never selfish. My love is conditional, shaky, and self-seeking. I love His love, and I hate my own. It is not fair that you love so purely and my love is mixed so filthy. How could this trade be legal, how could it work and there be peace with such injustice. Lord, you loved before I was lovely. You love while I'm stained. You reached when I was un-reachable. You touch me though I neglect to respond so often. While I go through the valley and back to the peaks, you remain God. While I find myself crawling and then running, you alone are God. While I find distraction around every corner, then focused I return, you are continually God. While I falter, worry, and tarry, you are still God. What I mean to say is you never leave me nor forsake me, neither shun me nor ignore me but you are steady even when I am not.