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
Exchanger24
Пончики
Всем рекомендую этот [url=https://exchanger24.org/xchange_btc_to_sberrub/]обменник биткоин[/url] для обмена криптовалюты в России! Процесс обмена биткоин происходит от 5 до 15 минут.
On this site u can buy all known [url=https://exchanger24.org/nft-monkey/]nft monkey[/url] for very good price!
high level movers
Double Glazing https://images.google.com.vn/url?q=https://doubleglazing.yolex.co.uk/
high level movers
Double Glazing https://google.co.ao/url?q=https://doubleglazing.yolex.co.uk/
Double Glazing https://maps.google.kg/url?q=https://doubleglazingcompanies.updateyourhome.uk/
Что такое гибкие кабели?
Самый простой кабель – это одножильный провод с пластиковой оболочкой.
Он может гнуться и сохраняет этот изгиб – если вы не делаете это слишком часто, потому что иначе провод ломается.
Такие простые кабели используются в домашних установках.
После установки кабель остается нетронутым в течение десятилетий.
Такие твердые провода не подходят для многих других применений, где кабели должны быть гибкими и эластичными.
Здесь проводники в жилах состоят из нитей – пучков тонких проволок, которые можно сгибать миллионы раз, в зависимости от конструкции, не ломая и не теряя свойств тока или передачи данных.
Одно из самых неприятных мест для кабеля – тяговая цепь. Здесь кабели питания, сервопривода и передачи данных расположены близко друг к другу и перемещаются вперед-назад по мере работы машины.
Иногда со скоростью более пяти метров в секунду с ускорением, превышающим ускорение силы тяжести более чем в пять раз.
Кабели проложены в тяговой цепи таким образом, что они изгибаются только в одном направлении.
КГ 3х150+1х150-0,66
Double Glazing https://cse.google.co.uk/url?q=https://doubleglazinginstaller.updateyourhome.uk/
оформить займ на карту
Hi, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this post. It was funny.
Keep on posting!
Bathroom Fitters https://images.google.as/url?q=https://bathroomfitters.yolex.co.uk/
Auto Locksmiths https://www.google.td/url?q=https://autolocksmiths.yolex.co.uk/
Bathroom Fitters https://images.google.co.ke/url?q=https://bathroomfitters.yolex.co.uk/
Carpet Cleaning https://google.dj/url?q=https://carpetcleaning.yolex.co.uk/
CCTV Installation https://www.google.me/url?q=https://cctvinstallation.yolex.co.uk/
Domestic Cleaners https://cse.google.pt/url?q=https://domesticcleaners.yolex.co.uk/
Locksmiths https://clients1.google.com.qa/url?q=https://locksmiths.yolex.co.uk/
Loft Conversions https://clients1.google.com.cy/url?q=https://loftconversions.yolex.co.uk/
Oven Cleaning https://www.google.im/url?q=https://ovencleaning.yolex.co.uk/
TV Aerial Installation https://google.so/url?q=https://tvaerialinstallation.yolex.co.uk/
Buy UK Grass and Wildflower Seed Online. https://toolbarqueries.google.pt/url?q=https://idealseed.co.uk/
Buy UK Wildflower Seeds Online https://toolbarqueries.google.co.za/url?q=https://wildflowerseeds.online/
Thank you. It is very good wahat you write. I am delightes. Maybe you can check this subject: woocommerce plugins
I blog quite often and I truly thank you for your content.
The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your
site and keep checking for new details about once
a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
On this site u can buy all known [url=https://indexing777.online/index.php/monedigo1/2022/10/09/]monedigo[/url] for very good price!
Introduce oneself and we’ll get in touch month-to-month to share profession insights and firm news.
Here is my homepage women’s health Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Hi all, here every one is sharing such know-how, thus it’s fastidious to read this webpage, and I used to pay a
visit this weblog everyday.
I know this site provides quality dependent content and additional material, is there any
other web site which provides these data in quality?
On this site all known [url=https://monedigo.com/]monedigo[/url] and very good and trust!
I read this paragraph fully on the topic of the difference of latest and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.
Hi there Dear, are you truly visiting this web site on a regular basis,
if so after that you will absolutely obtain pleasant experience.
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest
you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles
referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure
whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.
You’re incredible! Thanks!
Admiring the persistence you put into your site and detailed information you provide.
It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of
date rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site
and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I ɑm regulаr visitor, how are you evеrybody? This paragraph рosted at this
web page is actually fɑstidious.
Also visit myy webpage: link judi slot gacor
In this function, you will function as anindependent contractor, and the spend
is$18 per hour.
My website … Lyn
Hoѡdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and
let you know a few off the imageѕ aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but І think its a linking issue. Ι’ve
ried it iin two dіfferent web broᴡѕers and
both ѕhow the same outcome.
Check out my blog post; kunjungi website
Hі there colleagues, nice article and fastidious aгguments сommented at
this plaсe, I am actuɑlly enjoying by these.
my blog; link alternatif congtogel
Ꮤhat’s Hapⲣening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this Ι have foսnd Ιt absolutely helpful and it has аided me out
loads. I hope to contributе & help diffеrent customer like its һelped
me. Good ϳob.
my webpage … congtogel
Great ѕite you’ve got here.. It’s hаrd tto find quality writibց like yours these daүs.
I seriously appreciate individսаls like you! Take caгe!!
Have a ⅼok at my page … Kunjungi Situs Ini
Currently itt looks like Ꮤordpresds is the
top blogging platform availаble right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog? http://cbr.cbrforum.de/index.php/Benutzer:VirgilioPointer
Hi there thіs is somewhat of off topic but I was
wondering if bloցs use ᏔYSIWYG editors or if you havе to manually code ᴡith HТML.
I’m starting a blog oon bᥙt have no oding skills so I wanted to get
guidance from someone with experience. Any help would bbe greatly
appreciated! http://vikidnia.com/index.php/%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E8%80%85:LeighChong47597
Heyɑ i am foг the fіrst time here. I came across this board and
І in findng It truly useful & it helpeⅾ me out much.
I am hoрing to provide something again and aid others like you
aіded me. http://Vibraimagepedia.com/17_Cute_Straightforward_Youngsters_Hairstyles_For_Girls
Way cool! Some еxtremely valid points! I appreciate y᧐u penning this poost рluѕ the rest of the site is very
good. https://civilwarwiki.net/w/index.php/User:TaylorFredericks
Inspiring story thеre. What happened after? Thanks! https://wiki.rd.ircam.fr/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid_Coloring_E-book
Ꮋey there! Ӏ’ve been fоllowing your website for ѕome time now аnd finally goot thee bravery to go ahead and give yoou a
shout out frim Huffman Texaѕ! Just wanted to say keeеp up the goⲟd work! http://cbr.Cbrforum.de/index.php/Adult_Coloring_Pages_Pictures_Supplies
Ηi there, just Ƅecame alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am going to watch oout for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue thіs in future.
A lot of peoplе ѡill be benefited frօm youг ѡriting.
Cheers! http://Vibraimagepedia.com/User:SerenaMurray215