Tis' the Season - part 2

Tis' the season to give...and give cheerfully.

One of my goals as a mother is to teach Gabriel about giving. I don't want him to be selfish. I want him to understand how blessed he truly is and I want him to see past what is immediately around him and be able to see those who are less fortunate than us and those who just need someone to give them...something.

Today was not a bad day...although for the most part, it felt like any other ordinary day. We just took a couple hours out to head to hubby's Aunt's for some REALLY good dinner. Seriously, it was REALLY good. "Sweet potato pie made me shut my mouth." Literally. I don't even like sweet potatoes...but this dish was off the chiz-ain. Okay, sorry, getting off topic.

His Aunt Gloria is that woman who will cook for an army and then insist you eat half of it. Okay, that's exaggerating. But it really is more effort to argue with her and tell her you don't want anymore than it is to actually just go get more. So before we left, I gave in and took the to go boxes she was handing me and filled them with some mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, stuffing, and mac-n-cheese. I slyly left the 3rd box she gave me for dessert in the garage. We didn't need any dessert. Now I wish I had gotten some...because our food never actually made it home.

We were stopped at a red light at the intersection of County Line Rd and US 92 when we saw a lady on the side of the road holding a sign. We didn't know if it was just a sign asking for work or what but Jason made the comment, "She shouldn't be out here. She should be somewhere eating a nice meal." I looked at him, I looked at her, and I then I looked down at the 2 full to go boxes of food and pointed at them. We both smiled but were kinda stuck. She was on the right hand side of the road and were in the far left lane. As if in answer to our dilemma, she crossed over to our side of the road. It was like God saying, "Hey, no excuses now." Jason rolled down the window and held out both boxes. She came over, a grin on her face and said, "I'd rather have this than money any day of the week. Thank you!" Jason told her Happy Thanksgiving and then the light turned green.

I'm not telling this to toot our own horns. I don't care about recognition. I care about that woman and so many others like her. And it hit me like a ton of bricks tonight on our drive home. Instead of whining or complaining about the fact that we live paycheck to paycheck, I should be thanking God for the ability to do so. So many others can't. That's why so many like that woman stand on the side of the road with a cardboard sign begging for anything. How many times do we just pass those people by almost scoffing at them? Nine times out of ten...they didn't choose that life for themselves. If we have it to give, then why not give, and give without reservation, without a second thought. After all, Jesus said, "What you do to the least of these, you do unto Me." Hebrews 13 also talks about not neglecting hospitality because some have entertained angels unaware.

So...the next time you see one of those downtrodden, yet beautiful, people, ask yourself what you would do if that were an angel or Jesus Himself standing on the side of the road. Would you just pass them by?

I pray that Thanksgiving meal was enough to fill that woman's belly for the night and I pray she finds a warm place to sleep...everyone deserves at least that.

Happy Thanksgiving...and thanks for being a reader of my blog. I appreciate you....whoever you are.