The Joy is in the Giving

"And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

About two week ago, Cole asked if he could have his Nanna take him shopping so that he could use his own money to buy gifts for his family.  I told him that he certainly may and that Nanna would be a great person to help him manage that kind of thing.  So, when the day came Cole seemed very excited.   But about fifteen minutes before his Nanna arrived to pick him up for shopping, I found him sitting on the living room chair quietly crying.  "Cole, honey, why are you crying?, I asked."  "Mom, these are happy tears, really."  "It's just like you always say, 'The Joy is in the Giving. And I am feeling that joy in my heart right now....I feel more happy to be able to go and get gifts for the people I love than I am to get gifts for myself.  It just feels so good that now my eyes are watering."  

As Christmas Day approached all that he could talk about was how he couldn't wait to give his gifts.  It took every bit of reserve and self-discipline that he could muster not to spoil his own surprises for us. 

A couple days before Christmas,the five families in our homeschool gathered at a local nursing home for critically ill and alzheimer's patients and sang Christmas carols.  There was this one dear elderly woman in a wheel chair who was talking to Cole.  And as I approached the two of them, I heard her say to Cole, "I am crying because your visit has made me so happy.  I am not crying because I am sad, only because I am happy", she said.  Cole then said to her, "Oh, I understand, I was crying just the other day for the same reason! Sometimes happiness makes your eyes water!"

When Christmas morning finally came he began begging us right of the bat to let him give HIS gifts first.  Preparing for Christmas this year made him happier than it ever has before because this time he was going to be doing the giving.  He gave me earrings, his daddy a sweater, his sister a gift super hero action figure (so that she could now properly play superheroes with him), and baby Leah he gave a red jumpsuit.  And despite how blessed we are were to get these awesome gifts, Cole was the one who was beaming the most.  He was exceedingly blessed!

As a family we had an amazing first half of Christmas Day.  We cooked breakfast together (Nanna and Pop joined us); then we leasurely opened gifts while taking long pauses in between openings in order to take in and enjoy what was just opened.  We had made the decision to only get the kids each three gifts but with all the gifts that were sent or delivered from other relatives there was a great deal for them to open.  After all the gifts had been opened we sat together and ate the turkey dinner I had prepared. From all of our points of view, the morning events had been super enjoyable for us all.

 Later that afternoon, however, Maya came down with the stomach bug and Leah began teething terribly. So, things kind of took a turn from lax and joyous to hectic and strained. No one got particularly upset with one another, but in the confusion and crying we all went on to kind of "miss" each other whilst trying to survive.  

After finally getting the baby settled down and Maya into bed now that she had finally stopped "heaving", I went into the living room to collect myself and found that it was nearly 11pm and Cole was still awake and sitting alone in the dark.  When I told him that it was way past his bedtime and that I am so sorry we had neglected him during the confusion, he immediately began to tear up.  "Oh, Son, what is it? - are these tears because you have been here alone and we haven't been able to have a good second half of the day?"  "Mom, I'm not upset that you were tending to Leah and Dad was tending to Maya.  It's just that even though I am so grateful for all the gifts I received, it feels like all of these presents are like weights on me - they are burdens to me."  He went on to explain how it has become painful to get more than he gives and how he wished he had given more than he had gotten from others.

WOW!  It was so eye opening for me to hear him verbalize such a deep truth. I did my best to comfort him and help him not feel so badly. And the conversation certainly served as a good segue into talks on generosity, thankfulness, service, and most of all how God always out-gives us.   But I am still finding myself pondering his words because I know there is more truth in it for me to realize. I just keeping thinking about the fact that the struggle in his little soul which God allowed me to witness has so purely and convincingly revealed to me the truth that the JOY IS INDEED IN THE GIVING! The words of our Lord Jesus are so right - It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

See below pictures taken over the holidays before the sickness took over causing us not to get out of our PJs ever since.....

 

 

Your Baby can read - Ha ha!

My mom reading to Maya 

Christmas Morning at our house

Scott's mom and dad and his sister's family came to visit this past week in preparation for Christmas

This is the gift that Cole picked out for Maya and purchased with his own money.  

Some quality time with my brothers wives, Bobby's wife Jenn and Tom's wife Heather.

Tommy, Heather, Putter and their new puppy Jones (as in Bobby Jones).

The kids with their Nanna and Pop

 

Comments

[cindim]

I tell you, God has very special plans for a certain young man named Cole. He is teaching him truths that it takes the average person a lifetime to learn, if it's learned at all. Keep listening, Cole. You have a lot to teach this world.

Thanks also for the photographic glimpse into your beautiful family's Christmas. I hope everyone is well now and enjoying snowy peace and contentment.

Love from NC.

[jodi]

That is one special boy you have there....what a treasure.

[Christine]

Thank-you for sharing, what a sweet boy your Cole is. I hope your family is feeling well now.

[The Other Alice]

Aw, how sweet! Amazing! God bless you all and I hope you all feel better and rest well!

[may g]

what a blessed gift Cole is, as with your beautiful daughters. hope all is feeling better. happy new year.

[Susanna]

Kerry!
I used to follow your blog faithfully and loved it but then switched computers and lost the link and yeah well, you know how that goes! Anyway I was given Mary Beth's book for Christmas and while I was reading it; all of a suddden I realized how long it had been since I read your blog!
Anyway all that to say Congratulation on your growing family and I have enjoyed the last moments of catching up with you... Leah is beautiful and I love how you named her!
God Bless and keep blogging! I am so encouraged by what you share :-)

[Christopher]

It is like opening a present. I check for updates on your blog everyday . We are all so blessed that you share with us your joys and pains.Cole,like his parents is simply amazing. I wonder how beautiful this world could be if we all followed your lead and open our hearts to God. All things are Possible!!

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hey, I got a dog the same breed as you!!! this, on the left on the photo, mine absolutely the same looking!! cool

[personal statement]

very interesting article! I will follow your themes.
Can I subscribe to your posts on Twitter or on your Facebook profile?