A Giving Heart

Today's post was written by a guest blogger, my husband Dan. I was busy baking last night so I asked him to put this post together. I think he did a fantastic job and I know y'all will enjoy it!

One of the hardest things as a parent is to get your kid's attention off of what they want, what they have, what they need and focus on OTHERS. Obviously, having a little brother requires a little sacrifice every now and again, but we try to really push the point across when we can. Christmas provides an awesome opportunity to find others with greater needs than we have.

For the last couple of years, we have selected from a child from the Sharing Tree at the mall, pick out a gift for that child. This year, we decided to go a different route and fill a box for Operation Christmas Child. Through this program, needy children around the world get to receive a gift for Christmas, and hear the story of Christ and how He gave the ultimate gift for them. With Jonathan being 4, we thought it would be great if the gift was from him to another 2-4 year old boy.

We made a special trip to Wal-Mart just so we could pick out these items. We had a basic list of needs and general gifts to give to the little boy, but it was somewhat open in what we actually could get. We got a box of crayons, some coloring and sticker books, some simple toiletries, and a couple other small toys. The hardest thing for Jonathan was simply remembering that what we were getting was not for him.

The one thing we couldn't find at our Wal-Mart was a small stuffed animal. Since Jonathan has a closet full he never plays withe we decided to choose an animal that he had no particular attachment to and give it away. When we got home, we went into Jonathan's closet to pick out a small stuffed animal to give in the box as well. This did not go over well with Jonathan, as we picked out HIS kitten. Even though he had no special attachment to this particular stuffed animal, he was very unwilling to let go, because it was HIS. We finally convinced him that the little boy we were sending it to would love it even more.

We didn't actually put the box together until Saturday.

He started by filling out a form that had information about him and what he likes.
Then he packed the box with all the things we had purchased. When he got to the kitty, he prayed over it, praying that the kitty would bring the boy who receives it a lot of happiness and comfort.
Then he finished putting that last few things in there. We packed that box pretty full!
That right there is one proud little boy. (He, however, did not do the wrapping... That was done by my wife.)
And here is our little giver with the sticker he got for giving a box. Hopefully, the child who receives that box will be blessed. For Jonathan, we are hoping that he will continually remember how special it is, and what a blessing it is, to be the one able to give.