Luxuries

Did you sleep in a bed last night?  Are you wearing clean clothes today?  Did you get coffee or breakfast before you left the house today?  Were you able to drive to work or drive your kids to school?  Are your kids happy and healthy?  It's so easy for us to take all of our daily luxuries for granted.  It may sound crazy to call these luxuries.  Sometimes I get confused and think a luxury is that nice SUV I want or those $200 boots that girl is wearing or my dream 4 bedroom ranch home in the country.  You know what luxuries are to those that are in need?  Food, water, clothing, beds, a home and sometimes just love.

I am the first one to admit I am guilty of not focusing on Jesus during the Christmas season.  I get so wrapped up in decorating my house, getting all of the gifts wrapped and under the tree, letting Garrison experience all of the fun activities and making sure he still has a child like faith in Santa.  All of these things are so great and make Christmas a magical time but we can't forget that Jesus really is the reason for this season.  We are celebrating his birth.  It's that simple.

I found this awesome list on Pinterest of daily scriptures to prepare for Christmas and we have started doing this as a family each evening.  I am hoping this will be a small way for us to have that daily reminder that we should keep the focus on Jesus during this time of the year.  Here is the list if you are interested in doing this with your family. 

My friend recently told me about Cross International.  This is the "About Us" section on their website:

Cross International is a Christian relief and development organization that provides food, shelter, medical care, water, education, self-help programs, care for orphans, and emergency relief to the poorest of the poor around the world in the name of Christ.

They have this great page on their website called "Christmas Catalog".  Did you know $5 can buy a kid a pair of shoes?  I'm not gonna' lie - I spent that on breakfast on my way into work this morning.  Did you know $10 can feed 100 babies?  That is crazy!  You can also donate to "the greatest need" and they will give the money to the people that need it the most at that time.  Or you can give specifically to orphans.  What a great gift to be able to bless others this Christmas!  It's also a great idea to give this as a gift to someone in your family who might already have everything.  Check them out  by clicking here. 

If He is the reason for the season, why shouldn't we do what He asks of us?  

"Little children, let us stop just saying that we love people; let us really love them, and show them by our actions."  ~1 John 3:18

"Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor."  ~Proverbs 22:9

"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you."  ~Deuteronomy 16:17

Jewels*