It is Christmas time and many of us are scurrying around trying to buy that perfect gift for our loved ones. Some of us have shopped for months in advance and have our gifts wrapped and tagged. All our efforts are to see the gift being opened and the look of wonderment and appreciation on the faces of those we love.
Giving is such a noble thing. Having an open heart and being willing to share of your abundance is a great trait to have. Having an open heart and being willing to share in your lack is an even greater trait to have. I grew up as one of twelve children and it amazed me how the poor would find their way to our door - my parents would always send them away with a belly full of food. We were not a rich family by any means but we knew how to share even in our lack...yet there was always enough to go around!
Reflecting on my childhood in the context of the season I am compelled to acknowledge the distinction between giving in lack and over -extending oneself. My parents did not take the grocery money for the week or month and give it to the poor; they opened their pot and shared from their cupboards and refrigerator. They gave within their capability and their spirit of generosity magnified the gift to the receiver. The gratitude from the receiver was as if we had given them much more than a plate of food.
I ponder how so many of us overextend ourselves during the Christmas season and live with the tremendous stress of increased bills and credit card debt in its aftermath.
Giving loses its nobleness when we overextend ourselves by creating a financial burden that steals the joy of giving. The energy of giving and receiving, of enjoyment, wonder and fun is robbed from the giver and the receiver in anticipation of the doom of pending bills and huge credit card debt.
We live in a world where we are constantly being pulled by the perceived expectations of those around us and the influence of the media. There is a pushing and a pulling to get us out of this place of giving nobly to a place where giving is closely followed by regret. I shake my head with sad observation and realize that the gift of giving should never be followed by regret and the only way we can stem the tide of stress and pressure that accompanies most of our giving these days is to open the pot, cupboard and refrigerator, celebrate family and community within our capacity and let our spirit of generosity magnify our simple yet meaningful gifts of love.
