A Gift that Costs Us
Tomorrow, we're dropping off some cookies and singing carols to a few people. Some of the kids are on board. Some role their eyes at the thought. One child in particular is a very gifted musician. He can sing. He can dance. He loves Elvis and Michael Jackson and won't stop singing and dancing here at home. In fact, he sings and dances so much, it gets him into trouble. But at the suggestion he should use his giftedness to bring joy to others, flaming arrows dart from his eyes, smoke billows from his nose, and the look of death rolls across the room. Lucky for him, mothers are impervious to such reactions. Why does the thought of singing for others make him upset? He thinks it is embarrassing and it costs him his pride.
On the other hand, this same child was also very excited to purchase gifts for others this year. He carefully selected what each and every sibling would like and even wanted to blow his budget just to get everyone the most perfect gift. How could a child be so giving in one respect and so selfish in another?
Singing does not require money. Singing doesn't even require much talent. (Just ask my husband...haha. Don't worry, he's good for the joke.) Presents require funds. So one would think that presents would cost us more than song. But that isn't how cost is measured. Real gifts cost the giver - and we're not talking about going into debt, which is always a bad idea at Christmas.
This Christmas I am attempting to make myself uncomfortable for the sake of others. I want my gifts to cost me something. I want to put my heart into my cooking and stay up a little later to make the homemade meal a special treat. I want to extend myself to bring joy to others by doing something I wouldn't normally do - or that I don't feel like doing. I want to watch my kids make a mess with Christmas cookies even though it creates so much more work for me, because it brings them a lot of joy. I want to be uncomfortable so that others can be comfortable. I want my gifts to be quiet, intentional, and sacrificial.
As my children grow and learn about giving, I want them to understand that real gifts cost us something. The best gift you can give someone else, is not bought at a store; it is the gift of you. I am so thankful that we have the perfect example to follow in Jesus.
Singing does not require money. Singing doesn't even require much talent. (Just ask my husband...haha. Don't worry, he's good for the joke.) Presents require funds. So one would think that presents would cost us more than song. But that isn't how cost is measured. Real gifts cost the giver - and we're not talking about going into debt, which is always a bad idea at Christmas.
This Christmas I am attempting to make myself uncomfortable for the sake of others. I want my gifts to cost me something. I want to put my heart into my cooking and stay up a little later to make the homemade meal a special treat. I want to extend myself to bring joy to others by doing something I wouldn't normally do - or that I don't feel like doing. I want to watch my kids make a mess with Christmas cookies even though it creates so much more work for me, because it brings them a lot of joy. I want to be uncomfortable so that others can be comfortable. I want my gifts to be quiet, intentional, and sacrificial.
As my children grow and learn about giving, I want them to understand that real gifts cost us something. The best gift you can give someone else, is not bought at a store; it is the gift of you. I am so thankful that we have the perfect example to follow in Jesus.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the
world might be saved through him.
- John 3:16-17
- John 3:16-17
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