Giving changes lives, both yours and the lives of others. Giving changes lives because the act is a blend of generosity and gratitude. Focused on abundance, the giver is not inhibited by scarcity mentality. Grateful what is and what can be, the giver holds life and love with an open hand.
“What do you think my house looks like?” asked my mentor the first time she invited me to her home.
“Uniquely beautiful,” I responded. “Like you.”.
“But what does it look like?”
“Probably classic antiques,” I guessed.
What I saw when I came through the front door still takes my breath away. My friend‘s country abode was a Christmas wonderland. The sparkling ceiling high Christmas tree was catalog perfect skirted by a pile of brightly wrapped packages.
It was summer.
“Pick a gift,” she invited.
My children and I starred at her dumbly.
She urged us closer. Gathered around the holiday tree, she distributed presents tagged with our name. Then we selected another from the unnamed beribboned gifts. Of course each item was just right.
“This is wonderful,” I said. “But I don’t understand.”
“Christmas,” she said, “is not just one time a year. Giving is not seasonal.”
Christmas Changes Lives
For over a decade, it is always Christmas at her home. My children call her home the Christmas House. Every visitor who enters Saundra’s home chooses a gift from under the decorated tree.
It is Christmas in her heart, too. She is famous for sowing what she calls seed money. Monetary gifts tucked into pockets and envelopes that she gives and encourages the recipient to pass on.
Years ago, as a single mom raising five children in a tiny Midwest town, Saundra barely kept food on the table. “In His Word, God gave keys for living,” she said. “One of those keys is give and it shall be given unto you. When I started I didn’t have the money to give. The gas and electric bills needed paid. The year I began giving, my business grew from $3,000 yearly to provide for my family and pay off my home.”
Gifts That Change Lives And Keep Giving
When he personally paid for a teenager’s college, Walt Disney was instrumental in launching the career of writer/producer Ken Wales, Likewise, Ken mortgaged his house multiple times to bring the story of Christy to television.
Following his passion, Ken realized his dream when Christy became the most watched television show on the Easter Sunday when it debuted. Ken realized another dream when the story of William Wilberforce became a feature film titled Amazing Grace.
Change Lives With Generosity
Generosity is the gift that keeps giving.
This side of heaven we will not know how far the impact of our gifts rippled. Disney continues to infuse happiness to generations around the globe.
Ken Wales touched the hearts of viewers when he brought Catherine Marshall’s classic American tale to screen and DVD. And with the feature film, Amazing Grace, Ken Wales reminded us that we stopped slavery once and we can eradicate this travesty in its new form as human trafficking today.
Saundra reminds me that Christmas is a year-round condition of heart and hearth.
Do you have a Saundra in your life? Are you Saundra to someone in your circle?
For You
There is something about Christmas that can change lives. More than things, Christmas embodies hope.
Homeless for the Holidays is the story of a family who lose it all and find they have everything.
