1 Timothy 6:18
NLT
Tell them to use their money to do good. They should
be rich in good works and generous to those
in need, always being ready to share with others.
The
holidays are sweet times of life, and they come around each year for us to
enjoy and to cherish. We make memories
and spend time with people that we rarely see.
Sometimes that is good. Sometimes
that is bad.
But we
need to be careful not to miss people.
There are some folks that are around us quite often that don’t have a
great holiday because they are hurting or alone. Who might these people be around you? Think about the people you work with, your
friends at school, the people at church, the neighbor or the old friend. For many different reasons they might not be
as connected as they would like to be this holiday.
Maybe
it is the person who lost a loved one.
Yes there are other family members, but it is hard because this is the
first holiday or a special anniversary.
Who do you know that has lost a loved one and could use a call from you
or an invitation to your holiday meal?
This
might be the person who is just alone.
They don’t have any family to spend time with for some reason. Maybe they live a long way from there
family. This is the person who is a
loner and stays to themselves much of the time, but the holidays are extra
lonely. Who is the person you could
bless by letting them know you care?
Maybe
this is the person who has been sick or lost their job or been through a
divorce or had some tragedy happen in their life. This could be the college student that is far
away from home. They may be disconnected
like never before. The hurt of life is
often overwhelming to this guy or girl, and they sure could use some time with
you and your family.
Just
maybe this is the homeless friend that you met at the store or at church. They have no one else to talk with, to share
with or maybe they don’t even have a holiday meal at all. Do you know some one like that you could
bless?
I
challenge you as I have challenged myself to ask this question: who will you
bless? Go out of your way. Set an extra place at the table. Pick up the phone and make the call you’ve
been wanting to make. Fix an extra plate
of food and walk across the street or drive across town. Touch that person’s life that will be alone
or hurting this holiday.
Don’t just pretend to love others.
Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
Cheerfully share your home with those
who need a meal or a place to stay.
Acts 20:35
NLT
And I have been a constant example of how you can
help those in need by working
hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
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