When we began the Christmas Change project, my husband and I vowed to give fewer gifts in order that we might give more money away. Our immediate families were on board, we saved some pennies with our naked tree, and I kept a running tally of how much we might give to our charity of choice. Yet, as December pressed on, I realized that while we were going to be able to give, it wasn’t the total I had hoped for.
Until one day another blogger and her family pledged to double any donations made to Amazima Ministries. Guess what our charity of choice just “happened” to be? In the end, with help from a friend, we gave even more than we’d originally set as our goal. Only God could do that. It felt like an extra little tiny gift from Him to us. For them.
Another unexpected present was the Gift of Time. I didn’t spend hours on Etsy and Amazon or wandering the mall, seeking the perfect gift. Everybody was getting an African chicken. Shopping list? Done. I was prepared to sit back and coast through December, congratulating myself on finally achieving a peaceful holiday.
But this gift of time? It wasn’t for me.
The week before Christmas, we had two friends in crisis with immediate needs. Needs we could meet. Needs that required time. So we spent our time, as wisely and prudently as we could, in service to others. I say this, not boastfully, but humbled by all the other Decembers where I may have missed out on opportunities to serve because I was snowed under by the holiday Noise. I shudder to think what it would have felt like to have to say “no” to our friends. Or to serve, but to serve poorly, unable to spread ourselves any thinner.
In this moment, the Christmas Change gift came full circle. We served others, not just with our wallets, but also with our selves.
Because, this year, Christmas Change gave us time.
And, just like we’d promised, we gave that away, too.
What were your unexpected gifts this Christmas? How did you get to give them away?
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If you have reflected on what you’ve learned this season, how you would like to prepare for this coming Christmas, or how you would like to devote your life to Change this year, or if you would like to post your personal struggles or success stories about Christmas Change, please leave your permalink (to the post, not your home page) in the MckLinky. Thank you for joining us for Christmas Change 2009, and be sure to check back here from time to time to be encouraged toward that Life of Return.
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I was floored by the gift of neediness during sickness. It’s one thing to be the ones willing and on the giving side, but I was given a completely different perspective this year. At one point, the few days before Christmas, I couldn’t care for my children, and they had to go to another home. It was so very humbling to receive. I didn’t want to.
I rebelled against it, but I am so grateful now. I have already been in conversation with one friend currently in need, and I was able to empathize with the position. I’ve said before that I empathized because we are all spiritually needy, but it’s different when you feel it in your skin, and that only in a minor proportion.
Didn’t truly understand the gift of time even though I was hearing the phrase used over and over again. I kept thinking “I already spend a ton of time with my kids and family, how can I give the gift of time.” Unable to get my mind to think in another context I let the idea of “giving time” pass me by while we focused on “giving” less and “giving” our money for a greater purpose. However, I have seen the gift of time in action. We were one of the families in crisis and got to see how valuable the gift of time can be for a family that does not have it. Praise God for faithful friends who are willing to lay their own busy lives aside and serve those in need. Love the post, made me get all misty eyed.
That is such a great story!!!
My husband and I had an opportunity to begin opening our home regularly to a group of men from Mexico. As a result, they have been attending church with us each week, and joining our family for fellowship each week.
Giving the gift of our time speaks love like nothing else!
Amazima has been heavy on our hearts this year too. What a love-filled, courage, humbling ministry.
Blessings.