Today was the day to reflect on Joy. True Joy. God teaches us that if we follow His plan we can find true Joy. Jesus Others Yourself. By putting Jesus first, Others second, and ourselves last we really can find true joy. Think about it. If we are focused on Jesus and then others and their needs, how can we wallow in our own pity? We will be to busy bringing joy to others therefore gaining true joy ourselves, to wallow in self pity. I love giving! When I know of a need, or a desire, if it is in my power to fulfill I will. It makes me so happy to see others light up when some or all of their burdens are lifted.

Of course we have to be careful, watchful, in our giving. I mean some of these people on the corners with cardboard signs I hesitate with. So when prompted with total strangers to help them I will go to the closest fast food place and purchase a meal for them. Or I purchase hat, gloves, and scarves to give. We want to show love and kindness as Jesus does. But yes I believe we also need to be careful. I don't want to contribute to a drug addicts habits, or an alcoholics habits, but we can still meet needs for these people that have truly lost their way. A meal, something warm to wrap up in in the winter. I never give cash. I also try to keep tracts on hand to deliver with what ever I am giving.

We have filled shoeboxes to be sent to Operation Christmas Child, We donate to the little red buckets, my children love dropping the coins into the buckets. Since our youngest 6 are adopted thru foster care, we have taken stuffed animals, and blankets to the local Department of Human Services. A little snuggle for scared children. There are soooooooooooo many ways to bring joy to others, to fill needs for others, we try to find one thing each year. Sometimes 2. By blessing others we ourselves are blessed beyond measure.

Today we sang Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, you know by giving your troubles truly do go miles away from you. And later you have time to reflect and alot of those troubles you thought you had were not troubles at all, maybe little annoyances, but not trouble. And those things that were troubles truly, you find you can now deal with more calmly and rationally. And most times you see you aren't so bad off as you thought you were.

We also made angel ornaments instead of doing window painting. I love angels. One day while out shopping I saw a cloud in the shape of an angel. My 12 yo is still in awe over that cloud.

And we made lemon bars, one of my favorite treats, next to chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven.

I pray that all that read this, will find at least one way to bless others. But let's not just do it at Christmas, lets bless others on a monthly basis. Be creative, make cards or a meal for a shut in, mow an elderly neighbors yard, rake leaves, go to a nursing home and read to one of the residents, there are so many things we can do that cost nothing or next to nothing for us.

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