What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

[Crookshanks]

That is such a kind gesture. I think he will love it! And it's always possible that your one little act of generosity change his life

Many years ago, when my 2nd son was about 11 or 12, he had gotten a new bike. We lived in an apartment and we had locked the bike to the stairs; however, someone cut the lock and stole his bike. He was just heartbroken. I was a single mom, and even though I worked full-time, there just wasn't any money in the budget for another bike.

I mentioned it to my Sunday School class and asked for prayers that God would provide another bike because that's how Chris got to and from school. One of the guys in my class came up to me later and said he wanted to buy Chris a bike. I told Chris, and at first he said no, he couldn't let Tony buy him a bike. I explained to Chris that we had prayed for a new bike and this was God's way of answering that prayer. I also told him that if he wouldn't let Tony buy him the bike, he was causing Tony to miss out on the blessing of being God's instrument to answer our prayers. So - he went with Tony and got a new bike! It was such a special thing for Chris and something he has never forgotten (and he's now 28).

So, yes, I think the boy will love the bike and I hope it will make a big difference in his life. And I hope you're blessed as a result of your generosity!

[ploto]

This year . . . it just feels like one never-ending rush to something. Rush to shop, rush to spend too much money, rush to this family and that family and better make sure everyone gets equal time.

I remember those days before I learned to say No. Even though it is hard, choose to do what you would like to do and realize that you can not please everyone. When I lived away, I even made the choice one year to volunteer to work on purpose, so that I could just stay home.