Thankfulness for past experiences

Without our own unique past experiences, we would not be the persons we are. The love we have received, the knowledge we have gained are all gifts from people who have influenced our lives. Some of these people are our families and friends. Others lived long before we were born and their ideas have influenced us from the distant past. To all these people, we owe our thanks. Most of us have received our faith from our parents and yet all of us owe a debt of gratitude to the original apostles of Jesus Christ. If they had not preached about Jesus, how would we have known about Him?

Part of the joy of life is in the realization of how much we have received from others, especially from those who have been closely bonded to us. This realization increases love, and the love deepens the bonds and through our gratitude, we come to understand more clearly who we are. Our lives are shaped by the experiences that help us to, in turn to be an instrument to shape another life, to share and be of genuine service to others.

I ask the Lord for the awareness to appreciate what I have received. What I have become is due largely to the wisdom and love which others have shared with me as a gift. I examine my life with gratitude but even when I try to recall my past, I can never be fully aware of how much I have received from God and from those who loved me. Without God's goodness and the goodness of others to help me, how would my own life have been good? May my gratitude deepen each passing day. 

The season of giving

There is no shortage of ways you can make a difference in the lives of others, in this holiday season and throughout the year. We can bring back the magic of the holiday season and remember; there are no acts too small, just be sure to be kind.

 

1. People need your help all year-round

Sick kids in hospitals, children in battered women’s shelters who have fled their homes in the middle of the night, and others might like a toy or two, but nobody’s donating in the middle of the year. The same goes for other forms of volunteering – there are homeless, disabled, sick, poor and needy people who need help all year-round.

2. The recipients of charity are people with feelings, value, and dignity

Poor people don’t need the dregs of your life, whether in the form of your material cast-offs, or your time, emotion, and advice. Being poor means lacking resources, not lacking humanity. If you can’t connect with the people you aim to serve, as people, then nobody is the better for your alleged charity.

3. Consider the gift of independence

Think about the way you volunteer or give charity – is there a way you could increase people’s abilities to make their own choices, to follow their own paths, to develop their own abilities? Give them hope.

4. Be connected          

Too often, people in a position to help hold themselves apart from the people they hope to assist. And no wonder – for the once-a-year volunteer, there is little time to get to know anyone, let alone really understand what their lives are like. If you can, make a long-term commitment and open yourself up to the lives of the people your charity is aimed at. Get to know people face-to-face, as friends and colleagues and equals.

5. Forget about yourself

Last but most important, remember, it’s not about you. Yes, it feels good to give, and there’s no point in feeling guilty about that, but don’t do it because it makes you feel good, or because of so called Karma, or because it’s part of your organization’s charity programme, or for whatever other way that charity benefits you. Do it because you want to do it from your heart… being a giving person without expectation.

This year, instead of giving during the season of giving and then returning to your “normal life” when you pack away the Christmas tree and lights, let the holidays be a starting point to a life of year-round giving.

Prayer is the key

There are many Christians who are ignorant with regard to God's boundless grace. Our need or poverty blinds us to the One who could supply our need if we would only trust Him.

Time and again, Scripture reiterates that God is more willing to give then we are to receive.  We are constantly reminded that if we pray and believe, we will receive that which we pray for. Prayer is the key which unlocks the treasure chambers of God. Many of us believe this but few actually use the key and enjoy the abundance of God's grace.

We are aware that God can give anything that we ask but many of us also see our self-erected barriers which obstruct His answers. When we bring a petition before God, do not start thinking how impossible it is that God will answer our prayer because there are so many obstacles in the way. Such an attitude births doubt and prayers cannot be answered where faith has been substituted by doubt.

How God is going to answer our prayers is neither our responsibility or concern. A simple child-like faith which looks to God and believes unconditionally that He does answer prayer is the kind of prayer that God wants to answer with joy. Our prayer life is also part of God's unfathomable grace and if we use it in faith, God will give us far beyond what we could think or pray for.