Musings and Memories

As it is nearing the holiday season, my church has begun posting the wishlists of the children at Childhaven on one of our bulletin boards. We do this so each member of the church can have the opportunity to select one or two items on these lists, go out and buy them, and then give them to the children for Christmas. When this time of the year rolls around, I am always reminded of how incredibly blessed I am. The children at Childhaven have no parents, no family, nothing. And I have so...much. I have a Christian family, a job, and everything I need, plus so much more. Why should I ask for people to buy me things when there are people out in the world who have next to nothing? Even if they have everything they need to survive, they might not have a family, or anyone they really love. Then there are those, of course, who may have family, but live each day wondering if they will have enough to eat. When I went to Africa, I saw examples of this. As shown in the picture, there were kids wandering around the filthy streets, no parents in sight. I couldn't help but wonder if their parents were working, or if the poor children simply didn't have any parents. The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, and for many of us, it surely will be. But then I remember those children at Childhaven who have no family, and the kids in Africa who will probably receive no presents. Thinking about these children has caused me to remember again that the holiday season isn't about receiving as many presents as I can, or to get the most expensive gifts, but rather to make other people's holiday as special as possible. After all, I am extremely blessed.