What A Joy this time of year is

Hi Everyone...Isn't it funny that this time of year people seem more generous than at other times? Why is that you suppose? Do you think it may have to do with the birth of our Christ? Well I'm glad that people are generous, but I feel you should be that way all the time, not just at Christmas. I know that this is the normal time we give "presents", but people have needs all thoughout the year, not just at the holiday times. I truly believe that all people have good intentions, but even the best laid plans come to a halt sometimes. Next time your out at the store, pick up an extra can or two of food, or non-parisable items, put them in a box. Before too long you will have a nice little box of food you can give someone. That would make a nice present all the time, as we all need to eat all the time, not just during the holidays. I know, I don't mean to sound synical, but it is the time of giving and I really think we need to think more about giving all the time. Jesus is the reason for this season, and he gave his all for us. The least we can do is help our fellowmen/women/children out. If you see a good sale on meat items, pick up something and if you have a freezer put it in there, if not, see if your church has space in their freezer to put the meat items until you can give it to someone that needs it. I know I have a big freezer at home, but I still would think if I needed to use my church's freezer space, if they have some extra space, I'd put a nice chicken, ham or even a turkey in there to go along with can goods that we have in our food pantry. It is just a though, but a good one. You can't get very many meat products in a can,and if you do, they are normally so expensive for just a small bit. I would like to think that especially during this time of year, if you see games or toys on sale, pick up that extra toy, find out if your church has an "Angel Tree", put the give under the tree. I'm sure that someone would find it a new home for the holidays. We have so many children here in America, even this small one little town of Wichita, that kids need so much. Warm clothes are a must during this cold season. Pick up an extra pair of mittens, gloves or even gete the fleece and make a scarf or two, give that to the "Angel Tree". You see kids that walk to school or even to the bus stop in freezing weather without cold weather clothes each day. Just drive around in the early mornings, check out the bus stops, you'll see kids that don't have gloves, hats or even coats to wear, even shoes that fit them corretly. We can't save the entire planet, but we can do our part to help these kids, especially during a season we seem to be more "giving" than any other time of the year. If you don't want to drive out in the cold weather, check your local schools, churches, Head Starts and such, see if there are children there you can give a coat, nice warm pair of shoes that fit right, gloves, scarfs, hats, things that keep them warn to wear. Families are having it rough this year all over, but the ones of us that are lucky, not having too much of a struggle, keep in mind that our children are the future, to keep that going, we have to keep the kids going. Think about the kids that go home hungry over the weekend. Do they have enough to eat? Buy a package of goods at your local Dillon's store to put in the back pack program. This way you know the kids will have some sort of food over the weekend to eat. Free lunches and breakfasts are great, but if you don't get them on weekends or school breaks, you can imagine how hungry one can be.
I hope this isn't too depressing, but just food for thought. Just a play on words.
But think about picking up that extra can good, food item, gloves, hat, coat for a child in need. If nothing else, you can contact me here, I can find a home for your donations. I know a lot of little kids that suffer, not because their parents are not working, but they just can't get a lot of hours. These are working parents that do have jobs, but no benefits or big paying jobs. These are the people that are helping themselves and need help too. We can give to the people on the streets, yes, but aren't you willing to help someone that is helping themselves too? After all, it's not about the adults, it's all about the kids, they did not ask to be put in a position to be hungry, cold or lacking of medical needs. If their parents are doing the best they can, sometimes, that isn't good enough, that is where you come in my friend. You can call it "Pay it Forward", "Giving a helping Hand", "Picking up the pieces", what ever it is you want to call it, but most of all it is called "Human decency", being kind to our fellow mankind. Jesus would be so proud of the way we act this time of year,after all he was the one that started giving in the beginning anyway. He was the one that gave first. He is the one that will always keep giving. Trust in the Lord, and he will be there for you always.
Teach your kids to pray, be kind to each other and most of all, love the Lord.
God Bless each one of you.