With Christmas just around the corner I have been thinking about not only giving but receiving.  Many moms have said that they want their children to realize that this holiday season is about giving not getting.   And I totally agree with that.  But I've been thinking that part of giving is receiving, not in the sense that if I give you something then you have to give me something, because giving is not necessarily reciprocal.  But in the sense that if everyone is giving -which most people are this time of year,  then someone is receiving.  Most likely those "someones" are our children. 

My children are wonderful givers, I have seen my son (10 at the time) give his only coat to another boy who was "needier" than my son was, even though he knew that he would not have a coat for that year, he would just have to wear layers, unless God provided one for him.  God did provide another coat for him just a few weeks later but we didn't know that at the time.  To be honest, this one was hard for me.  On a smaller scale, my children are always wanting to make something to give to someone.  They truely get joy out of giving. 

However, I also want my children to be wonderful receivers.  Not just to say "Thank You" and write a Thank You note, although those things are important.  But I want them to feel great joy when receiving, just like they do when they give.  I don't want them to feel guilty or unworthy when they receive a gift (or a compliment), or to feel like they need to reciprocate or that any "strings" are attached.   I want them to see that is God who provideds for us and if someone gives us a gift, we should be thankful to God, first and foremost.    I want them to treasure the gift and more importantly the giver.  I want them to see the giver's heart and not just look at the gift.  I want them to realize that no one "has" to give them a gift but that they want to give the gift.  I want my children to feel special when they recieve a gift. 

So while I know that this time of year can breed ungratefuless and greed,  I am going to make a conscience effort to help my children learn to be gracious receivers, by enjoying what God has provided for them through others. 

I also think that it is not necessarily all that important what we try to teach our children about giving and receiving from Thanksgiving to New Year's, its what we teach them from New Year's to Thanksgiving that will make the greatest impact. 

Only by His Grace!