This Christmas season Tracy and I decided to do something a little different. I’m actually quite proud of Tracy. With all that is going on in the world and its effect on our situation, we had already decided to give less this Christmas season. But what I’m proud of is hearing that Tracy would rather give to ministries that give to others this Christmas season rather than give so much to each other. We’ll still do some things for our daughter and close family but our best gifts were to our church and World Vision.
Our church, Life Link, is one that God planted us in just as they were starting a building fund drive this fall. It’s a fairly young, vibrant, stable church and is making a difference in our local community. They have been around for just about three years, have grown to two regular Sunday morning services and are seeking to move into a permanent facility in order to better serve the community (they’ve been renting part of a school during their startup phase). They have a great vision to give back to the local communities and draw people into the message that Christ has for them.
World Vision reaches people virtually in all parts of the world. For what amounts to very little to most Americans, you can give a gift that will change a family for generations. From basic necessities like providing a source for clean drinking water to living farm animals that can produce milk and eggs or reproduce and increase their herds, to providing life saving medical supplies and immunizations to school supplies, World Vision touches thousands of lives, many in third world countries, with a gift as small as $30. It doesn’t take much, just a willing heart to be part of something bigger that can make a difference.
I think many of us get focused on “what can I do with my little part” but God is saying I’ll take your small part and mix it in with the small pieces others bring and make something magnificent out of it. It shouldn’t be about us getting to see the family that receives the gift we sent to World Vision but about being a conduit that God can use, free and willing to receive what God has in store for us to give away next.
I hope that you will join us in giving the way that God would lead you to and enjoy observing this great season and what God is doing in your life and those around you. May God bless you and have a wonderful Christmas this year!
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I love both World Vision and Compassion International. I sponsor a child in each of these organizations, and they are wonderful!
We take for granted how much money we waste (yes, a lot of it we do waste) as Americans. There are so many people in other other countries that need our help, and because we live in such a prosperous and great country, the least we can do is use our abundant resources to help those in need.
Kudos to both of you for giving to your church and to World Vision. May God richly bless you for your generosity.
Thank you Lord for allowing us to give back what You have given to us!
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