Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others. – Brian Tracy
It’s That Time of Year
It’s that time of year. The time where we get together with our friends and families. There are food, games and holiday movies to be enjoyed by all. While you’re enjoying this upcoming holiday season, I want you to think about the people that may not be as fortunate as you.
Over the last couple of years, my wife and I have invited people from our church to spend the various holidays with us. To at least come and share a meal with us.
Sometimes it would be friends, but most times it would be someone new might not have had family in town to spend the holiday with.
Whether it was a barbecue for the 4th of July, a potluck style meal for Memorial Day or Thanksgiving. The heart behind it was to be able to spend time with people that we care about.
The last couple of posts that I’ve written have to do with being thankful, and being thankful in our marriages. What we can’t forget is about extending that thankful spirit and inviting people into our circle.
You may be a fortunate person who has loved ones, friends and people around you that you can enjoy the holidays with. Choose during this holiday season to be the change or be a positive influence on someone around you. This is the perfect time of year to begin. This is where we can start.
1. Look At Those That Are Close to Us
An easy place to start is to look at the people and relationships that are close to you. My wife and I started with people in our church, or people in our small groups. Those that as we got to know them, we realized that they might not have aplace to go.
2. Be Wise and Pray
What I’m not saying is that you invite complete strangers into your home. What I am telling you is to pray and use wisdom. Build relationships with people. That’s part of what makes the various holidays fun. Getting to know people that you may not get to spend a lot time with otherwise.
Pray about the people that you should have an impact on. You could be the influence that is needed in their life.
3. Be Comfortable
Being comfortable in your own space is great. You don’t want to lose that. You have to be able to be yourself. You don’t want to bring people into your life, if you are going to feel like to have to put on an act for them.
Doing that doesn’t help them and only drains you. What really impacts people is when you are able to be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.
Discussion Question:
Have you ever invited someone into your home, or been invited into someone’s home during the holidays? What was the experience like?
