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
Thankfulness to my father who told me regarding this weblog, this webpage is actually awesome.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account
it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?
Hi, I do think your web site could possibly be having browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues.
I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other
than that, great website!
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching
for look at this now
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I
need some help from an established blog. Is it tough to set up
your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or
suggestions? Thank you
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end
or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
O melhor cassino, eu o recomendo – [url=https://blaze1.space/pt/]Blaze[/url]
Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe everything is presented on web?
https://bio.link/playpcbn
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking
more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my
social networks!
Hey there! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long
time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out
from Humble Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the good
work!
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world everything
is accessible on net?
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site,
how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Good post. I am going through many of these issues as well..
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice,
keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come
back down the road. Cheers
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you know afterward you can write or else it is complicated to write.
Мы рекомендуем посетить веб-сайт http://skatertsamobranka.ru/.
Кроме того, не забудьте добавить сайт в закладки: [url=http://skatertsamobranka.ru/]http://skatertsamobranka.ru/[/url]
For most up-to-date news you have to pay a visit world-wide-web and on web I found
this web page as a finest site for newest updates.
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this web page, and post is
truly fruitful for me, keep up posting these content.
You made some really good points there. I
looked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views
on this web site.
An interesting discussion is definitely worth
comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to publish more about this issue,
it may not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t speak about such topics.
To the next! Best wishes!!
For most up-to-date news you have to visit world wide web and on web I found this web site as a finest site for most up-to-date updates.
This post will help the internet people for setting
up new weblog or even a weblog from start to end.
Great web site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours
these days. I seriously appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
I just like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check once more right here frequently.
I am quite sure I’ll be informed lots of new stuff proper here!
Good luck for the next!
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after going through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking
it and checking back frequently!
I just like the valuable info you supply to your
articles. I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here
frequently. I’m moderately certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right right here!
Best of luck for the following!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog
and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed
account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your
augment and even I achievement you access consistently
quickly.
Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based upon on the same information you
discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
whoah this weblog is wonderful i like reading your articles.
Keep up the good work! You understand, lots of individuals are looking around for this information, you can aid them greatly.
Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick
heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly comeback.
Hi there everybody, here every one is sharing such know-how, therefore it’s nice to read this webpage, and
I used to pay a quick visit this blog every day.
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely
different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to
him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer
for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good
asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some
articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Thanks!
Keep this going please, great job!
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The words in your content seem to be running off the
screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is
a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought
I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though!
Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Many thanks
The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be
a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed
and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely
off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thank you
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.
Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A small
number of my blog readers have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for information approximately
this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now.
However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the supply?
It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it is time to be happy.
I’ve read this submit and if I may I want to
counsel you some fascinating issues or tips. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this
article. I wish to read more things about it!
That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!
What’s up everyone, it’s my first visit at
this web page, and paragraph is actually fruitful in favor of
me, keep up posting these types of posts.
Thanks for finally talking about > You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have
| Lines In The Sand | Insert Grace Here < Loved it!
Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you
I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects?
Thank you so much!
It’s an remarkable piece of writing for all the online visitors; they will take advantage from it I am sure.
Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you
using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking
at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could
point me in the direction of a good platform.
Excellent blog right here! Also your website rather a lot up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link on your host?
I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol