Donuts, Gifts, and Thankfulness
Growing up I had 10 siblings, so finances were always tight for a household of 13. But every once in awhile, we would stop and get Jolly Pirate Donuts! Not only are JPD the best but they also did a bakers dozen and we needed that 13th donut! With 13 people you avoid going into stores as much as possible, so as the oldest son, often I would be the one to go in and pick donuts with my dad. Now for the 13th donut you could pick ANY donut, even the special ones in the display case. I always picked a Maple Long John – they are sooooo delicious AND bigger than a regular donut. So I walked out feeling like a champion, mostly because it also meant my donut was bigger than all my siblings!
But it also left me feeling very thankful. I knew that this was a stretch, but my parents just wanted to do something special that week.
Even as a child, I understood that we had to be extremely cautious about spending money. My dad was an auto mechanic and my mom was constantly birthing children, so living on one salary was tough. But we always had everything we needed. There always seemed to be a way to get new shoes when a hole formed in the current pair. We didn’t need much, the house was already full of people, so there wasn’t really much room left for much other things!
Then, every year, December rolled around. The time of year to celebrate our greatest gift of Jesus by giving gifts to the ones we love. Parents desire to give good gifts to their kids and my parents were no different. But with so many children and so little finances, I know it was tough on my parents being extra selective on what they could afford to give.
One year was different. I remember sitting in our living room watching TV when there was a knock on the door. Two people entered the room that I had never seen before. Both were wearing elf hats and had big smiles on their faces. In their hands were three extremely large bags overflowing with wrapped Christmas gifts! They said that the gifts were for us. I inspected the gifts to be sure and it was true! All the gifts had tags with our names on it.
That generosity was a blessing to our family, especially to my parents. We never figured out who or where those gifts came from, but even today I still remember that kindness. It left an impression on me. It showed me that extending love to others in such a practical and thoughtful way could have more impact than I realized. My parents were blessed by their generosity, all of us kids were charged with excitement, and those people, with their big smiles, left our house knowing that they had just given love to our home.
It has caused me to take part in opportunities that otherwise I may have let pass by. As I did, I realized my expression of love and kindness were just a mere reflection of the love and kindness given from our Lord. I hope that I continue to look for ways, big and small, to have a lasting impact of love on people. I hope that when I do, I point them to the true One who has given all, Jesus Christ.
It reminds me of a passage in Colossians from Paul that is so powerful. It really could be a whole sermon series. But look at the encouragement and challenge that he gives us believers here In Colossians 3:12-17…
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Let us as a church be thankful. Let us recognize the love and kindness that Jesus has shown us. And let us look for ways to display the love of Jesus to the world around us. They desperately need His love revealed to them, whether they know it or not.
This Thanksgiving, will you spend some time with your family giving Jesus glory, thankfulness, and praise? He has been so good to us with His loving kindness. We are truly blessed with the gift of salvation!
As we head into Christmas, let’s continue to look for ways to spread that love and kindness to our loved ones and neighbors! Both in prayer and with practical needs. I know sometimes we might hesitate because of how our charity might be perceived. Let me assure you as one who has received much from others throughout my life – if it is given as a gift of love, not a mere pity offering, then it will be received as love. That kindness will extend beyond that gift, for them and for you! Let’s spread Jesus’ love in word and deed this Christmas!
At New Life we have partnered with many ways to be a tangible blessing to our community. The East Campus Pantry, Center of Hope, LifeWise Academy, Stowe, and GRIN are just some of the partnerships. We also are co-hosting the Gahanna Giftshop again this year.
To have the Gahanna Giftshop we need hundreds of $15-$20 toys donated (unwrapped) to New Life. Then we host a store at Middle School West and invite parents in our community that could use a helping hand. The parents get to come and shop in the store and every gift is only $2! We get to partner with parents in helping to provide the Christmas they desire for their kids. (just like those elves that came to my house as a child). Then we get to partner with the school because we give all the proceeds to the school! I love how we all get to work together!
The Gahanna Giftshop is an incredible way to make an impact on some families this year! We get to show the love of Christ because of our kindness. If you want to help with some gifts, this year we have set up a gift registry online so you can even help from home! The registry will even send your gift to New Life. Of course you can choose other gifts as well. To shop the registry just click HERE! But hurry, the Giftshop is December 14th and we need the gifts by December 8th!
You can also help express the love of Jesus during the actual shop day on December 14th by joining the Connections Team at the Giftshop. You get paired up with a shopper to talk about their kids and tell them how much we love giving gifts because Jesus loves us so much. There are also ways to help in the snack shop, writing cards, or wrapping gifts. To sign up to help out click HERE!
Looking forward to this Thanksgiving and Christmas season as we love like Christ together!
Alan Budd
Executive Pastor