THE BLESSING OF STOLEN JOY

𝘈𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘏𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵? 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯.⁣

—𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘢⁣

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The ding, ding, ding of Salvation Army bells welcomed us into the city adorned in twinkling Christmas lights. It was a beautiful rush back to the feeling of normalcy desperately missed this year.

But as we walked the downtown streets carefully stepping over legs protruding from tattered blankets, we realized we were wrong, the “normal” we felt was nothing more than window dressing.

I’ll be honest, the reality of so many people with no place to call home stole the joy from our yearly Christmas excursion and I asked to go home. “Sure, but let's at least get a latte before we go.” my husband agreed as he took my hand.

The barista called our names and handed us two cups of steaming deliciousness and a goodie bag. “Hmm, you ordered a treat” I exclaimed with anticipation of sharing in the sweetness. But when I peaked into the bag, I found a large stack of $10 gift cards. My husband took the bag from my hand and with great enthusiasm exclaimed, “Let's go spread some Christmas cheer!” ⁣

Oh, how the joy returned to my heart as we walked back to the ferry, stopping to wish our homeless neighbors a Merry Christmas. But how much better it would have been, had it been our intent all along.

The ability to bless others, even in a small way, was far more wonderful than any gift we could have purchased. It was the essence of Christmas.

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY: ⁣

Is there a charity (local organizations, global initiatives, community outreach, or people you’re connected to, etc.) you can bless today? Share the love and receive the best Christmas gift ever!⁣