Give And Let Give

Matthew 10:8b -- "Freely you received, freely give." [NASB]

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The din of people chatting, calling from across the store, texting, and yes - shoving each other out of the way - is generally enough to make me crazy. The day after the turkey has been put away, the dishes have been done, the fridge has been packed full of left-overs, and the house has an after-storm calm - leaves me wanting to cower in a corner in the deep recesses of my closet - and not so much as poke my head out until Monday rolls around.

I HATE Black Friday. 

Nothing says Christmas like getting run over by an overly-eager woman using her shopping cart as a lethal weapon - much to the painful surprise of my first three toes.

And it never fails - only one left of a must-have item incites fisticuffs in the middle of the isle while children look on with eyes glazed over and shockingly shock-less expressions.

I HATE Black Friday.

But this year, I actually ventured out with the women of my family late Saturday afternoon - and I have to say - I'm very glad I did. Because I learned it wasn't about the deals and the steals. It wasn't about the shiny bobbles and the fancy wrapping paper. It was all about giving. And THAT is something all of us can afford. 

Simply give.

My grandmother asked that the ladies go out and hit one of her favorite haunts after the guys settled in to watch a ball-game. Normally, this is exactly when I'd come up with a creative excuse that explains in plenty of colorful detail why I will not be joining the fray - but I was forewarned  from a favorite family spy about this particular desire - and steeled myself in preparation. I knew this was something that Mamaw really, really wanted. So I tagged along.

Mamaw watched us all very closely. She wanted to know what we liked so she could get her own Christmas shopping finished and walk away with 100% satisfaction - knowing she'd managed to get each of us EXACTLY what we wanted. I could give her that. It was a huge burden off of her shoulders this year - especially since it alleviated a recently very hectic and chaotic schedule. All I had to do was BE there. It didn't cost me anything. But it was a joy and a precious gift to her.

In a season when it's easy to get caught up in the crazy, it was nice for me to be reminded of the importance of giving of oneself. Not all of us can buy fancy expensive gifts for the people on our Christmas list. We can't all be the people in those commercials that show up on Christmas morning with sparkly new cars that have giant red bows on the top - or present our loved ones with gold and diamonds at just the right spontaneous moment in a perfectly decorated environment. But we CAN give what we have to give.

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We can give time.

We can give encouragement.

We can give a compliment.

We can give forgiveness.

We can give laughter. 

Some of the most precious gifts out there this holiday season don't cost us a dime.

Jesus wasn't a wealthy person by most standards. But he gave us THE gift. He gave us freedom, forgiveness, love, and a real relationship with our Father.

Freely we received - freely we should give.