Gifts

What a paradox.

One person can afford any birthday gift they want, another will celebrate his tenth birthday with no birthday gifts. What a paradox.

The invitation came via email. You know the kind you get on a regular basis. As soon as the invitation comes, you ask, "what do I get the person who has everything?"

Embedded in the invitation were familiar words...Please, do not bring a gift, it is not about the gift, it is about fun with friends!!!! I love the sound of that. Friends.

Then these words got my attention....If you feel you can not comply with the no gift policy, please gift someone else on behalf of me and let me know what you did. Wow! The possibilities are endless.

Here is where the 10 year old boy comes into the picture. He is the son of a another friend of ours. He lives in an area of town where gifts are few and far between. What a contrast.

So, last night we went to the party. We brought our card to the person who sent the invitation. Inside the card we wrote these words...You have been such a blessing in our lives. We are giving a birthday gift on your behalf to a little ten year old boy who will not be receiving a party or any gifts for his birthday. Because you have blessed us, we will bless him with a gift. Thanks for your friendship.

I am so thankful for all that I have....friends, family, health, work, and hundreds of other things. It was a blessing to attend the birthday party of a friend, it will be a blessing to give a gift to a little boy who we have never met, it is sheer joy to think that it will bring joy to both.

Affluenza is killing us. What would happen if we decided to bless others in the same way we have been blessed. I think my friend has caught on...Please do not bring a gift, it is not about the gift... It's about the gifts God gives.

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. Galatians 5:22 The Message

What do you think?