I love December!  It’s a month of surprises, cookies, fellowship and trinkets!  LOVE. IT.

Okay, so what about those who are less fortunate?  You know…the families who are put on the angel tree, the children whose parents are in jail and the single-mom’s kids who stay at home by themselves most nights while she works her second shift.  Hm…good question.

I don’t think I know anyone personally in the above scenarios, but isn’t it my job to seek out those in need and to provide as I am able?

I’m sure not everyone feels like this is their responsibility (I sure didn’t until recent years).  But, that doesn’t mean we can or should ignore the plea of the needy.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

Instead of worrying about making life MORE comfortable for ourselves (a.k.a. asking for more surprises, eating more cookies and getting more trinkets – AH, MAN!), wouldn’t it be awesome if we were more concerned about making life better for others???

WOW!  Now, that’s a nifty idea!  Sounds a lot like paying it forward!

According to Wikipedia, “The ‘pay it forward’ concept was popularized with the book Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which was later made into a movie with the same title, starring Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, and Kevin Spacey.”

Paying it forward basically means doing for others because someone did for you.  I think we should pay it forward because GOD DID FOR US and continues to DO FOR US on a minute by minute basis!

The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. Psalm 149:9

According to scripture and personal experience – it is ALWAYS better to give than to receive.  Plus, paying it forward allows us to be walking in the way that God planned for us to be anyway!

And it doesn’t matter what our financial status is or how much we give.

In fact, I’ve always been stunned by the poor woman’s offering of two copper coins in Luke’s 21^st chapter.  Jesus recognizes her because of her generosity in the midst of her own need.  She is more concerned with providing for others than for getting more for herself.

AMAZING!!!

Wouldn’t this be wonderful to put into practice in our own lives?  Wouldn’t our children be wise beyond their years if we could teach this to them?  Wouldn’t we all be more joyful in our daily existence?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

So, as you are galloping through the month of December and making your goals for the upcoming year – don’t forget the most important of objectives…GIVING!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 21:13 – If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.