It seems like just last week when I was complaining that fall was here and now, it's only 18 days until Christmas. I've always heard that as you get older, time seems to go by more quickly but I never really noticed it until this year. Suddenly, you're old and just as suddenly, the days pass by so quickly you don't even realize it's happened.
So many people are struggling this year. Well, not just this year but every year, but maybe I'm just hearing more about it. In our own home, our income has dropped enough that instead of being cautious with how we spend our money, we're watching even more closely. We had to take out a second mortgage on our home this year just to fix it up since it needed so much work. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that at the age where most people are looking towards retirement, travel and relaxation that I'd be working harder than ever.
I'm not complaining though-I have a roof over my head where many others don't. And that brings me to my subject today.
Everyone reading this blog knows a family who needs help or maybe you live near an area where there are homeless people. My sister in Alabama has spent years of her life helping those less fortunate. Sure, many of them have problems with alcohol, drugs or mental issues. But none of these people, whether they're homeless or just down on their luck due to loss of jobs or illness, has chosen to be this way. Stuff happens.
Take a look at your gift list this year. Can you cut back on a few things? Can you do without that item that your son/daughter/husband/wife/friend doesn't really need? Take some of your gifts and share them with someone less fortunate. Help at a shelter. Offer to take dinner to a group of homeless people. Buy a gift for a child who would otherwise not get one. Offer your home for dinner on Christmas Day to someone who's alone. Find a prison ministry and buy a gift for a child whose parent is in jail and might otherwise get nothing under the tree.
This year I gave my sisters their gift when I saw them in October. When my mother was sick back in the late 60's, it was common to send someone a tiny arrangement of flowers in a porcelain box. I had three of those boxes that I inherited when I got most of the furniture after my mother's death. I gave each of my sisters one of the boxes, and made them each a necklace and a pair of earrings. These gifts didn't cost me much but it made me feel good inside when I gave them the presents. When you don't have much, the pleasure of giving a special gift to someone special means a lot. I just hope they loved their gifts as much as I loved giving them.
So take a few minutes to stop what you're doing and think how you might make the life of someone else better in some small way. It doesn't have to be Christmas to do this either. My sister does it every day of her life in some way. She changes lives one day at a time.
I think we can all do it too...this is good time to start!
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