There are friends in my garden. They’re there right now. Well, not literally, but the plants that have been given to me remind me often of the friends, family, and neighbors who gave them. The lovely flowers remind me of lovely faces. Each plant represents a relationship, some long and some short. My starting-to-bloom…
Tag: generosity
Living Generously
I’m quite sure babysitting a youngster wasn’t on her bucket list when she was in her eighties. Yet she took on the responsibility with grace and during those years she instilled in me things that have shaped me ever since. She gave me what she had- time and attention. During the Lenten season giving…
How to Be Happier in 2018 Part 2
Our youngest son’s wife saw a need in our family. She sensed that one of her husband’s sisters, our daughter, was in need of coming home and being loved on. She initiated a plan to get her sister-in-law and family here from 3/4 of a continent away. She arranged for tickets, offered her own home…
How to Be Happier in 2018 Part 1
Every human being wants to be happy. It’s no coincidence that our holiday greeting are, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! We desire happiness because that’s how we’re made. Our Creator made us to mirror himself. He is happy and has placed that longing for happiness in us. He goes so far as to promise…
Advent Giving
I came across this genius idea to help children learn to share and learn to declutter at the same time. Such a simple idea, but I think you’ll agree it has merit. Every day, put a donation item in a box which you deliver to a local charity before Christmas. Your children can choose…
A Shoebox Love Story
Every year, a Christian organization called Samaritan’s Purse facilitates the distribution of shoeboxes filled with small toys and useful items to children in poor or war-torn countries. The boxes are filled by people across America in the spirit of giving to those less fortunate at Christmas. “Back in 2000, an 8-year-old girl named Joana in…