This time of year has always been my favorite, but as I have gotten older I have begun to dislike it more than any other time. I was reminded the other day as I stood in line at the checkout of Wal-Mart why I always loved it. The lady behind me gently got my attention to let me know that the potatoes I was purchasing was on sale at another store. She smiled and we began a conversation as we waited about nothing. We just simply talked about her day, and the price of groceries. As I am leaving the store placing the cart back at the front door another lady stops me to let me know that the geese are making a lot of noise outside to be sure to listen as I go to my car. Any other time of year these people may not have had the time, or the care to speak to a complete stranger. This time of year makes people reach out to others because of lonesomeness, or just because of the season. So stores create "Black Friday" and people spend time fighting over material objects instead of having these kind conversations. We begin taking shopping list of what other people want, and praying that we can not disappoint our children on Christmas morning by getting something they didn't want.
When I was younger this time of year meant that older people became more social, younger ones were allowed to just be kids, and those in the middle always seemed to smile more. We always had more family time, and got to see family and friends that we didn't get to see often. These things still exist, but we find that more than not the crime rate increases, the loss of homes due to fires, the fights within families or at the stores, and the parents who live in poverty or the elderly forgotten and with out family become stricken with an overwhelming sadness.
My questions is: Why do we not have this family orientated, giving, loving, social attitudes everyday? Why is that we have to wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to care about each other, and those that we don't even know?
Since http://outreach-international.org/has created a way for helping people not just this holiday season, but all year long I have decided to participate in this wonderful organizations online resources. You will find at Follow Mathew 25:34-36 my fundraiser page. I would appreciate it if you would take a moment to look at the page even if you are unable to donate at this time. As soon as we reach the current goal I will add the population of another small town, and with each penny donated I hope we will be able to help each individual in the virtual small town.
When I was younger this time of year meant that older people became more social, younger ones were allowed to just be kids, and those in the middle always seemed to smile more. We always had more family time, and got to see family and friends that we didn't get to see often. These things still exist, but we find that more than not the crime rate increases, the loss of homes due to fires, the fights within families or at the stores, and the parents who live in poverty or the elderly forgotten and with out family become stricken with an overwhelming sadness.
My questions is: Why do we not have this family orientated, giving, loving, social attitudes everyday? Why is that we have to wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to care about each other, and those that we don't even know?
Since http://outreach-international.org/has created a way for helping people not just this holiday season, but all year long I have decided to participate in this wonderful organizations online resources. You will find at Follow Mathew 25:34-36 my fundraiser page. I would appreciate it if you would take a moment to look at the page even if you are unable to donate at this time. As soon as we reach the current goal I will add the population of another small town, and with each penny donated I hope we will be able to help each individual in the virtual small town.