The Giving Season
We often consider this time of year the “Giving Season.” We will put in hours of thought and wear out our feet to find that “perfect” gift. But I saw pure, unselfish giving in the line at the grocery store the other day. Ahead of me was a little old lady. As the clerk totaled her purchases, the woman found that she was short money so she began to put things back. When she reached for a bag of oranges, the gentlemen in front of me motioned to the clerk that he would pay for her oranges and slid them back into her cart.
Even though I didn’t participate, my heart swelled with gratitude to be a witness to such a kind act of giving.
I had a young son whom I couldn’t get out of bed on a Saturday morning for anything. No amount of prodding worked; he seemed to be glued to his sheets. But once a year, the Saturday before Christmas, he was up early. He never missed that morning where he would box toys for children who wouldn’t have a Christmas without the help of many in the community. Not only did it require him to rise early, but it took up a good part of his Saturday. For about eight years he consistently rendered this service. Working alongside him was a joy and his enthusiasm was infectious. We didn’t want to stop. At the end of the day, tired, dirty and hungry, we would always grinning from ear to ear. Today that son serves in a soup kitchen once a week.
A five-year-old girl who, upon hearing her mother discuss a family that wouldn’t have a Christmas, went to her room and returned with her piggy bank. Dumping it on the table she offered her $3.58 cents for the family. Her giving was infectious, and soon her siblings had emptied their banks and scurried to find loose change throughout the house.
Is the “Giving Season” seasonal? A waitress had a single, older woman come into her restaurant alone on Mother’s day. The woman explained that her kids couldn’t come see her so they had sent her a gift card to take herself out to dinner. The waitress left and talked to management. She came back and told the woman to save her card and go out to dinner with a friend some other time; this dinner was on the house. When the waitress served the dessert, she sat and listened as the woman told her about her children and grandchildren. Her co-workers covered for her so that she could visit with a lonely lady.
May we all find our hearts reaching to help others this “Giving Season” and through out the year. Merry Christmas to you all.
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Great stories! Although the one about the mother alone on Mothers day leaves me wanting to cry. I pray I never do that to my mother…
What a great website – how do you ever find the time. What a blessing this will be to your kids, grandkids and anyone who follows along with your great inspiration. I love you!!