You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have
With more determination than ever I entered the Christmas season prepared to focus on realistic gift giving. This year would be different. Scaling back was not just a mindset to keep Christ center—it was a necessity. Finances strained from a rough summer would dictate the boundaries. We made our list and checked it twice but you just can’t give what you don’t have.
Stories of financial frustration abound this Christmas season. Friends and family concerned for our precious little ones and the desire to bless and give are weary and desperate. Prayer requests abound. But you just can’t give what you don’t have.
I’ve prayed for many and I’ve felt their heartache and frustration. Once again, I’ve battled the temptation to give in to the hustle and bustle and have wound up with a mess of stress. But the reality is that we can do our best and even try to give within reason but we just can’t give what we don’t have.
In addition to the financial lack, families are struggling in so many areas. Marital stress, family feuds and drama erupting on the eve of Advent cause rifts in relationships. Instead of preparing for time to give even if the smallest of gifts and love and laugh, family parties are canceled, changed and shifted to “get us through.” Loved ones hurt, guarded and defensive will surely struggle to give hope for the upcoming new year because you just can’t give what you don’t have.
I’m learning that preparing our hearts for Christ whose lowly birth was the greatest gift ever given can be a struggle if we let it. But we don’t have to. We can prepare our children for the reality of what we might give in the name of Santa and willingly accept that it is enough. We can determine to share the purest of joy that comes with receiving the Christ child because He is always more than enough. Always. But we must take time to surrender the stress of what we simply cannot control or attain to receive His peace. We must prepare our hearts for the joy that only the gift of Christ can give because we just can’t give what we don’t have.
Our stubbornness to give what we feel is adequately enough often causes us to stretch our limitations and plummet further financially and reckoning day arrives the first of the year. But why do we do it? In the name of love, giving, the so called spirit of Christmas? If only we’d spend less time pushing the gifts and more time teaching to serve, leading by example, maybe our children would grasp the meaning of sacrifice and service. Because they just can’t give what they don’t have. Forgive me, Lord.
I’ve spent the better part of the past week struggling with anger. When heartache comes so unnecessarily, when it could have been avoided, should never have happened, well, then, anger is justifiable. But even righteous anger needs to be surrendered and directed by the One who tells us to be angry and sin not. Heartache at Christmas time can seem much more painful simply because of the season in which it lands. But even in heartache we have a choice. We have a responsibility to do what He requires. Love. Because love covers. I’m tenaciously seeking Him during this season. And though I may stumble and fall, I am determined to surrender even this hard thing. I am determined to seek His wisdom and I’m determined to love. But except I surrender my emotion, how will I find peace? How will I share His love? Because I just can’t give what I don’t have.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ~ Luke 2:11-12
In a humble, lowly place, love came down.
May we bow low this Christmas in surrender to receive the joy of Christ. And then, may we freely give what we’ve been given.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ~ Luke 2:13-14
Nicely put, Thanks a lot.
I do believe all the concepts you’ve presented on your post.
They’re really convincing and will definitely work.
Still, the posts are too brief for beginners.
Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it
was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any tips for newbie blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins
to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing
everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too.
This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve incorporated you guys
to my personal blogroll.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but
I find this matter to be actually something which I think I
would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang
of it!
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site.
I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now 😉
Nicely put, Appreciate it!
Incredible lots of excellent knowledge!
I’m now not positive the place you are getting your info, however great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thank you for fantastic info I used to be looking for
this information for my mission.
Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe this site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read
more, thanks for the advice!
Seriously all kinds of good information.
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is
written by him as no one else know such detailed
about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks!
At this moment I am going to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming over again to read additional news.
This post will help the internet viewers for setting
up new blog or even a weblog from start to end.
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue on the topic of this piece of
writing here at this website, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.
This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader
entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented
it. Too cool!
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure
where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?
Appreciate it
It’s difficult to find educated people about this topic, however, you sound like you know what
you’re talking about! Thanks
Fantastic information. Thanks a lot!
you are in reality a excellent webmaster. The web site loading pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a great process in this matter!
Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Uma otima casa de apostas para cassinos [url=https://blaze-8.cc/]Blaze[/url]
Superb material. Thank you.
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Cheers
Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your page.
Im really impressed by it.
Hello there, You have performed a great job.
I’ll certainly digg it and for my part recommend to my friends.
I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.
As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later in life. I want to encourage continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
Hi are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am really impressed together with your writing skills as neatly as with the structure for your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it your self? Either way keep up the nice high quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?
You made your position extremely nicely!!
Many thanks. Plenty of postings!
Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply
placing the other person’s weblog link on your page at appropriate place and other person will
also do similar for you.
Its not my first time to visit this website, i
am browsing this web site dailly and get nice information from
here daily.
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing such things, thus
I am going to inform her.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout
and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message
home a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog.
A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
I absolutely love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m trying to create my very own website and would love to know where you got this from
or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks!
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
Many thanks for sharing!
Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from
my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the outstanding work!