We are ushering out the season of “thanks” and welcoming in the season of “giving”.
(get it…thanks…giving….Thanksgiving…oh, I just crack myself up sometimes!)
And, as a family, we are ever mindful of how we can reflect the true spirit of the season and the One who gave us the greatest Gift of all time.
We have a giant green jar in our kitchen.
It sits on the desk where my son does his homework and at first glance you would probably think it was simply there for decorative purposes.
It sits on the desk where my son does his homework and at first glance you would probably think it was simply there for decorative purposes.
I mean, it is pretty!
But look a little bit closer, and you will see that it actually serves a different purpose.
This is our money jar.
It may have started out its life as home decor, but it has since found a greater purpose.
One night after dinner my husband and I took turns walking over to it and dropping quarters down inside.
The kids loved hearing the loud “plunk” and quickly asked if they could try it too.
We gave them each their own quarters to drop in and then we hatched our plan together.
“Let’s see how much money we can collect in this jar before Christmas”, we said.
“Oooooo…are we going to buy something with it?”, they asked.
“Yes, but we are going to pray about it first”, we replied.
“Why?”, they asked.
“Because we want God to show us how He wants us to spend this money.”
So, that is what we are doing!
Slowly but surely, this jar is is being filled.
And as it is, so are our hearts.
Filled with an awareness of how much what we think is “ours” isn’t really “ours” after all.
Filled with gratitude for the ability to give.
Filled with joy at seeing our children run over to the jar with their allowance and drop it down inside.
When my son came home from school and informed us that his class would be collecting items to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, we knew exactly how we would fund it.
And when we realized that taking the money out for that particular gift barely put a dent in our money jar, we knew that God still hasn’t revealed His full plan for it.
So we pray…and we wait…and we trust that He will show us very soon.
And we pray that not only will He show us to whom this money should go, but that this gift will only be a reflection of the very FIRST Gift of Christmas!
How will you usher in the season of giving?
How will you usher in the season of giving?
Thanks for joining me for this Simply Sunday at the Fence,
Sharing this here:
This is such a good idea and it is so wonderful that your children are enthusiastic about participating as well!
Totally awesome!
This will have a big impact on your children’s psyche in their adult lives…kudos to you for teaching them about others needs!
Such great teachable moments! Thank you for sharing this!
It is so good to see such an inspiring was of teaching charity.
Tiny sacrifices can a great deal to someone in need. Your kids sound super and they will carry your message. Thanks for sharing (the story) Kathy
OH what a fabulous idea and such a wonderful lesson for your children to learn to Blessing of giving. I know the Lord will Bless you all with more and more. Hugs, Marty
Vanessa (and hubby), I love how you are teaching your children from a very young age that what we ACT LIKE is ours really isn’t. The anticipation you’re all experiencing as you set aside part of your bounty…and pray for wisdom…and prepare to be obedient is cause for me to worship and give thanks. What a beautiful example you are setting, and what a beautiful picture of the verse “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Don’t you feel blessed as you prepare to share? I’m blessed just watching you! Can’t wait to see how God leads you to pass on the blessing. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Hi, Vanessa
What a great post. It’s a good thing to be a Blessings to others. I been looking into doing something local for my children to be a blessing to someone as well.
Thanks for sharing. Have a Bless and happy Thanksgiving.
Vanessa
Great idea! We always adopt a family at Christmas and we all pitch in to make that Christmas memorable for the family we pick. Our little ones get involved too. Wonderful idea about the jar in the kitchen. I guess someone WILL be Giving Thanks (you crack ME up, too). xo Diana
I love this! It’s so great to have the kids involved…in both the saving and the praying. I admire you as parents!
I contribute to Soldier’s Angels, Chemo Angels and to the homeless.
We are so blessed to have so much when others are without.
xo
Pat
What a lovely tradition you have created for you and your children.
hugs
sissie
Beautiful idea, love that your praying about what to with the money and the answer is being revealed! 🙂
What a beautiful idea!
We usually give gifts or $ to another family in need for the giving season. But, it usually comes out of my hubby;s paycheck, and he doesn’t mind, but this year I wanted to contribute, too.
I have a confession. I have been hoarding money in a teapot in my hutch for this coming season, too. Dropping $ in it as I sell something on Craigslist or eBay, or for consulting with a client about staging or organizing. I have a considerable amount in there now.
I didn’t quite know what to do with it. Now I do. I will ask my family if they would like to choose someone/someplace to bless (without telling them about the $ first) and see what they come up with. This will be fun!
Thank you for the reminder/encouragement!
Love, me
What an inspirational post. I’m a new follower who came over from No Minimalist Here, and can’t wait to join the Christmas Blogger Block Party! Sounds like fun.
You have such a gift…for story telling, sharing and inspiring. I love this. 🙂
What a wonderful idea. Such a nice way to teach your kids the real meaning of the season.
I think this is a beautiful plan, Vanessa. I love that you combine the thanks with the giving.
Yeah, you crack me up too…
But honestly? I really do like the way you put those two together.
Truly a wonderful plan and great to teach little ones about giving! HE always shows us the way we need only to listen – with ears, mind and most of all heart. Blessings to you my friend!! xo HHL
Truly a wonderful plan and great to teach little ones about giving! HE always shows us the way we need only to listen – with ears, mind and most of all heart. Blessings to you my friend!! xo HHL
Wonderful! Operation Christmas Child is pretty amazing. My youngest daughter and I had the privilege of packing shoeboxes at the Charlotte OCC warehouse on the very last day of packing last year. It is pretty inspiring to see what’s in all the boxes(every one is checked) and where they are going. This year our Life Group will be “adopting” a family for Christmas.
This is beautiful, Vanessa. I love the idea and you have most certainly inspired me to do the same.
Blessings.
As usual, I love this! Would you consider linking it up to my Giving Gratitude Link Party on A Mother Seeking…?
Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking…
What an inspiration! I’m going to find our own “green jar”. Thanks so much for sharing and I’ll be anxious to hear how He leads you.
Thank you for joining my Gratitude Link Party. This is just the kind of post we all need to read! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking…
I love how your money jar came into being, and how God revealed it’s purpose to you. Thank you for the simple lesson of giving thanks.
Wanted you to know you’ve been featured on A Mother Seeking and it’s up and running…
Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking…