Christmas is teaching us to give

The Christmas season offers us an opportunity to show love and appreciation for others by giving gifts. Unfortunately, commercialism has somewhat corrupted this tradition. The stores advertize holiday shopping and start decorating for Christmas earlier and earlier every year. It almost loses its appeal, and we forget the reason for the holiday.

But nevertheless, there is probably no other time of the year where we are the most generous with our gift giving. So, don't let commercialism steal your joy of giving. Let's not stress out about it. Sometimes the best gifts are cost-free or cost very little: Giving of our time to someone in need, remembering friends and family by sending them a card, or showing our love by making something for a friend, or baking some cookies, or giving them a call....It lets them know that we think of them and we care for them. 

Everyone who was involved in the Christmas story of Jesus's birth gave something....Mary gave birth to the Son of God. When Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem, there was no place to stay, and the Innkeeper gave a stable for them to stay. The angels gave an announcement to some shepherds, about Jesus's birth and the location. The three wise men gave gifts to the newborn. And, the greatest gift of all came from God, who gave His Son to the world....the gift of eternal life.

Jesus also demonstrated a life of giving, and so our lives should be an example of giving to others, not only material things but of ourselves as well, even when sometimes it is not easy or convenient for us. We should give, not only at Christmastime but throughout the year....

So, as you celebrate Christmas, may you be richly blessed and remember the real reason for the season.

Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year



 

Let's Count our Blessings

I am the first one to admit that sometimes I get side tracked by the fast pace of everyday life (some of it self-inflicted, I might say) and forget to thank God of all the blessings that He has bestowed upon me. He has blessed me beyond measure. Good health, a good family, a thoughtful, supportive and helpful husband, peaceful home, and beautiful friends...and of course, the sweetest and most well behaved cat (how could I leave her out, she is family too..). I know that during certain times , our circumstances can be such that they leave little room to be thankful. Life can be full of losses ...you lose your job, or someone you love, or your health, your hope, or your dream. But those are also  moments that we need to be thankful for. Being thankful for all the good things we have is easy, being thankful for things we don't have or unpleasant things we have, is not easy.

Sometimes we think of the big things in our lives as blessings, but forget about the little things that make a big difference. How about the air that we breathe and the sun that keeps us warm, and the birds and beautiful flowers in your garden? Your kids that are not in trouble, or the car accident you just missed? Galen almost got in a bad accident a few weeks ago. He was waiting to make a left turn, when a car came down Topanga Blvd, going 80 miles an hour, making a right turn and missing him by about an inch from demolishing his car, and I hate to think of what else could have happened. I just finished reading a book, "Like Any Normal Day", by Mark Kram, Jr...The story centers on a 17 year old athlete, Buddy Miley, who in 1973 was a star quarterback in his high school football team. He had lots to look forward to and a promising future, but in one split second, all that was gone....In one of the games he shattered his vertebrae. For the next 23 years or so, he remained paralyzed from the neck down, at home, bedridden or in a wheelchair under the care of his mother. Not only his life was changed, but the lives of his family as well. It is not a happy story and I will not tell you what happens at the end (it is a good book to read). But I want to tell you that when I woke up this morning and went outside to do some yardwork, I was reminded of how thankful I was to be able to do it. I feel so blessed that all my bodyparts are functioning well. I should not complain and murmur, about how much work it is and that I am tired, because some people would love to do what I do, and can't.

Today we are invited to a friend's house for Thanksgiving Dinner. I don't have to prepare anything.
I am so thankful and looking forward to spend time with good friends, we have not seen for a while.

There is a song refrain that goes something like this:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done

This Thanksgiving may you see all your blessings, big and small and the ones you never thought of before and give God thanks! Every moment of every day gives us an opportunity to have a thankful heart, all we have to do is be more aware....something I have to remind myself daily.






 

The smiles of 2,054 children

Last month, Amway and Operation Smiles in Thailand, supported a team of doctors who performed 156 cleft palate surgeries in a  single day. Over more than a decade, Amway Thailand has sponsored 2,054 of these surgeries. Amway IBO's and employees are always on hand to help children before and after the surgeries, and they lend assistance to the parents and caregivers. Sometimes we take things for granted. We forget that some people may not feel attractive or happy enough to smile. These surgeries give children back their self esteem and confidence to smile.

On a recent study it was concluded that smiling can be good for your health. Research shows that smiling slows down the heart and reduces stress. That is great news! But smiling isn't good just for you; a genuine smile blesses those on the receiving end and all those around you as well. Your smile makes you feel better and can tell others that you like them and that you are pleased with them. A smile can hug someone with love without giving them even the slightest touch. I always notice that when I smile at people they always smile back. No words are necessary. A smile is universal and understood by all. Have you tried it when you check out at the grocery store? Just smile and say something nice, like; how is your day going today? and immediately the cashier will respond with a smile and a small conversation. Sometimes they don't look too happy, they are on their feet all day and have to put up with some nasty customers and stressful situations....but when you take the time to acknowledge them, you can feel the transformation in their demeanor. So try it next time you at the check out stand or even walking the store isles. They also have found that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile....so more smiles less wrinkles!!!

I know that life may not always give us a reason to smile. But when we see a heartfelt smile on a child's face or through aged wrinkles, our hearts are encouraged. Even when you don't feel like smiling do it anyway and it will change your mood. Our smile could also be a message of cheer and encouragement from God to a needy soul.

So, next time you are out and about, remember to smile. It is free to give away, and the benefits are great for both the giver and the recipient.

Numbers 6:25-26
"May God make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
 may God lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace"


 

Happy Father's day to all the dads

Here is a quote form Mark Twain:

"When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years...".
It's a funny quote but isn't that how children perceive their dads? As we grow up we realize that they know more than we think. They are not that ignorant after all. And the older we get somehow the smarter they become, and when they are gone and we reflect upon our lives and our parents, we realize how "wise" they were. All along they try to impart their wisdom to us, from their own experiences in life, but we are too proudful or rebellious to listen. We want to figure it out ourselves.

Today, we honor fathers not because they gave us life, but because they also showed us how to live.
Fathers lead and teach by example. A while back, I read a statement in an optometrist's office that said: "Eighty (80) percent of everything children learn in their first 12 years is through their eyes." So, just imagine all that children visually process through reading, television, film, events, surroundings, and observing the behavior of others, especially their families, their fathers and mothers. Just think about how powerful the influence of a dad is. We teach our children far more from how we live than by what we say.

My dad was a great dad and a great example; a man of integrity, great work ethic and perseverance.
I miss him more now than I ever did, because I realize all the sacrifices he endured for his family. I know I didn't always listen to what he had to say, because "I" was more sophisticated and after all a 'college' graduate. As I said earlier, sometimes we don't appreciate them until later in our lives. Our Fathers may not be perfect, but as long as they are doing their best and try to be good examples as they raise their children, that is 'perfect' enough. In Ephesians 6:4, the Apostle Paul advises parents not to keep scolding and nagging their children, making them angry and resentful, but to bring them up with godly advice and constractive discipline.

The 5th of God's 10 Commandments says we should honor our father and mother, and it ends with this promise: that if you honor your father and mother, you will have a long, good life, full of blessings.

I hope you remembered your Dad on this Father's Day, and if you are a father, I hope you had a wonderful day!





 

Mother's Day

A few days ago people payed tribute to mothers across the country on Mother's Day, which has been a tradition for more than a century. It is an opportunity to honor the most important women in your life. Some of these women have done an amazing job of raising children. Some are currently meeting that challenge in today's culture. I hope you joined in the recent celebration to bless the special women in your life. When I think of mothers, I am reminded of my mother who passed away 8 years ago and my mother-in-law who passed away last year. For the first time, I don't have to think of what special thing I have to come up with for Mother's Day....buying flowers or candy, or taking them out to lunch or dinner. It gives me an empty feeling, but at the same time I don't have the pressure of  remembering this special day. Looking back I remember that I tried to make everyday a special day, to the best of my ability. I hope that it was appreciated.

Sometimes we get hung up on these days, rather than being good to each other everyday. And while mothers have a big responsibility of raising children to become good citizens...all women should feel important, whether they are mothers or not. They all have an important role in society. God has blessed them all. They should feel confident that they have a God-ordained role.

Unfortunately, too many women lack self-confidence. They have a poor self-image and the fear that they somehow don't measure up. Americans spend 7 to 10 billion dollars annually on beauty products (which I think it is a good think-we all want to look our best) to enhance their physical appearance. Many self-help books are designed to help us 'improve' ourselves, and yet with all those resources, it doesn't mean that we actually know who we are. As women we struggle with self-perception...how we look, how much we weigh, what titles we hold--wife, mother, worker, business owner....these titles define us. A poor self image causes us to try to hide behind work, having the perfect kids, the perfect house, the perfect marriage etc etc....We have a desire to compare ourselves to others or worry what others think of us.We keep looking at superficial things, people's possessions or looks. If we spend all of our time comparing ourselves to others, or trying to meet other people's expectations of us, we will NOT be the person that GOD has created us to be. We miss the opportunity of being used in a unique way.

We must use our God given talents, gifts and abilities so they will not be wasted. We need to overcome a poor self-image so we can serve God faithfully with everything he has created us to be. God wants us all to be blessed and be a blessing to others, not just the women who are mothers.
We all have a responsibility to be good role models. Proverbs 31:25-26 says: The woman is a woman of strength and dignity, and has no fear of old age. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.

Whether you are a mother or not I hope you celebrated a great Mother's Day. Celebrate the woman that God made you to be, blessed and a blessing for others.