The Wish List

For weeks now we have been inundated with ads for “Black Friday”. In fact, those sales which were once just that one super day after Thanksgiving have been going on since the first part of November.

Black Friday – Cyber Monday! The “wanting” season has started.

Retailers are doing their best to convince us that our lives won’t be complete unless we buy this or that – go here or there – have the very latest that technology has to offer!

Don’t get caught up spending more than you have. It’s madness. There was an economist report on the news the other night that told how many people still haven’t paid for all the “great deals” they got last year. Millions of dollars worth.

Don’t buy into it.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life.You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid.You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod[a] makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Our Shepherd provides all we need: rest, food, water, protection from danger, guidance, overflowing blessings, love and kindness. Now those are things that He gives us freely – more than money can buy!

This year give the best gifts – give your time, your love, be patient and understanding. Help those who have less – make a difference. Let’s show our children and our grandchildren that it is truly “more blessed to give than to receive”. It’s so much fun to give.

Thank you Father for your “pro vision”, for seeing ahead in my life and giving me more than I deserve.

Horn of Plenty

When I was little I was impressed with the pictures of a “cornucopia” . The first time I really remember hearing about them was in my second grade class as we learned about the first Thanksgiving. More fascinating than the pictures of these big baskets with fruit and vegetables spilling out of them was the word itself.

Cornucopia.

With practice I learn to say it well. It was such a grown-up sounding word. Cornucopia, the word, originated in the early 16th Century: ‘from Latin cornu copiae ‘horn of plenty’ (a mythical horn able to provide whatever is desired)’.

Early in our marriage I purchased a horn-of-plenty and each year it either sits on our table or on the breakfast bar. I filled it with small ears of Indian corn, a couple of gourds, a miniature squash and a few acorns. They spill out ever so gently.

Plenty. To provide whatever is desired…sounds just like Jesus to me.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT

We aren’t blessed so that we can be selfish and keep all we have just for us and our little few. No. God’s blessings are meant to be shared. We are to be an example of our heavenly Father who has given us all our blessings.

If Jesus had been selfish he would have instructed the servants at the wedding to fill a couple bottles of the good wine and bring it to Him and his disciples. Forget about everyone else. If He had been selfish He would have multiplied the loaves and fishes, had a picnic with his closest followers and let everyone else fend for themselves. If He had been selfish He would have never come to earth in the first place. He would have stayed in heaven.

But…”God so loved the world He gave”.

I’m going to encourage you to do something tangible over the next few days. Give.

Give to a food bank (most grocery stores have boxes where you can donate food stuffs), give to a charity that cares for the homeless. Give to Samaritan’s Purse, you can go on-line and build a Christmas Shoe Box for a child in need. Give to the Angel Tree organization, they provide for children whose parents are incarcerated. Give to the Salvation Army. Give to your local church. Just give, no gift is ever too small.

“‘For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:35-40 NLV

When we take from what we have and give to someone who has less we are acting like our Father.

I’m so thankful that others have given to us during a time of need. But I am more grateful that we are able to give.

May your horn always be filled with plenty!