The meaning of Christmas

[tlay]

Today I was going to deliver some used bicycles to a family that had lost everything in a fire. Our group has been helping them out. I had not met them before today. I had talked to one of my friends about the bicycles and I told him I was going to take them today. I asked him the kids ages and he did not know. He said they had 2 girls. I was ready to leave today and I called the mother, there is no father, and asked her how old her girls were. She said 2 and 4. Uh oh! The bikes I have are for 10 to 12 year olds.
No problem! My wife and I stopped on the way and bought 2 brand new bikes at Walmart. We arrived at her place and I could not believe how they had to live. They had nothing. They lived in a small trailer all in the living room with a wood heater.
The next Uh oh. She has a 6 year old boy! No problem! Back to Walmart we went. We bought another bike and groceries.
The lady was so thankful. But what broke my heart was the 4 year old girl gave my wife and me a Christmas card and a big hug.
We are in the process of getting her a stove and clothes and other items.
This made my Christmas. So the next time you find yourself wanting another $2000 gun, think of this lady and her 3 kids. I think sometimes our priorities are screwed up. I know mine was. Merry Christmas and find someone who needs help.

[diamonback68]

Good for you. Keep the intended spirit. Merry Christmas!

[Nico Testosteros]

So many of us have won the birth lottery, in terms of place and circumstance. So many others haven't.

I commend you tlay for helping those less fortunate.

[Bugkiller99]

Was trying to think of the appropriate response. I think this is it.......


Amen

[vigil617]

You don't have to look far these days to find truly needful families. Lending a hand with what we ourselves have been given, sharing it so that nobody goes cold, hungry, or hopeless, and realizing by doing so how fortunate we truly are -- that's what it's all about.

The second most important commandment, according to the One whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Developing the habit of doing so -- and it's something that we humans seem to have to learn, as it doesn't come naturally to us -- puts a lot of real meaning into life.

Well done to you and the missus. And remember, be grateful to have been provided the opportunity to do it. That's Him at work, blessing us in ways we wouldn't necessarily have thought about on our own. He comes to us that way, instead of waiting for us to come to Him. That's the part that's easy to miss sometimes, until we get used to looking for it.

[tlay]

For a number of years I have forgot what it means at this time of year. There are many families that need our help. I will do my best to help this one. If you can please help someone who needs it. Thanks.

[brucev]

I have been a full-time serving local churches for 30 years. Visiting in the community really opens your eyes to the needs of people. Some of the situations are heartbreaking. Many years later, they haunt my heart. I remember finding children lying in a bathroom tub wrapped up in blankets. It was bone breaking cold. They were alone b/c the mother had to go to work or loose her job and she had no one to care for the boys. I found one family when I got turned around while out deer hunting. The electric meter was gone so I knew they had no power in the trailer. Later that day I came back with groceries and a Coleman ice chest packed with frozen deer meat. The lady wouldn't let me give her money. She said they'd be fine. One family I found was living in a house w/ no heat at all. They were cooking in the fireplace. I worked up a tree for kindling and wood. The men of the church got out and finished up the log and stacked everything. About six months later, we were able to get them a better house in town w/ services, etc. One of the church members helped the mother find employment driving a school bus. We tutored the boys.

Since Thanksgiving and especially this last week, we've been busy helping people. It doesn't matter who the parents are, if a father or mother has bailed out, etc., the children suffer. They need formula. They need diapers. They need to be warm and clean and not left alone to fend for themselves.

The world is full of people who are experts at pointing out all that's wrong and all that people have done to deserve the hardship they must endure. I applaud you for your compassion. May your tribe increase!

[Biginge]

Tlay,

Thanks for sharing that wonderful story. My Christmas is much better having read your post. God bless you, your wife and all those in need.

[williamlayton]

Aint it a funny coincidence how the Lord God puts the folks He wants in the place He wants them to do what they think is their idea and it is just pure luck.
Blessings

[S&W45Colt]

Originally Posted by tlay

Today I was going to deliver some used bicycles to a family that had lost everything in a fire. Our group has been helping them out. I had not met them before today. I had talked to one of my friends about the bicycles and I told him I was going to take them today. I asked him the kids ages and he did not know. He said they had 2 girls. I was ready to leave today and I called the mother, there is no father, and asked her how old her girls were. She said 2 and 4. Uh oh! The bikes I have are for 10 to 12 year olds.
No problem! My wife and I stopped on the way and bought 2 brand new bikes at Walmart. We arrived at her place and I could not believe how they had to live. They had nothing. They lived in a small trailer all in the living room with a wood heater.
The next Uh oh. She has a 6 year old boy! No problem! Back to Walmart we went. We bought another bike and groceries.
The lady was so thankful. But what broke my heart was the 4 year old girl gave my wife and me a Christmas card and a big hug.
We are in the process of getting her a stove and clothes and other items.
This made my Christmas. So the next time you find yourself wanting another $2000 gun, think of this lady and her 3 kids. I think sometimes our priorities are screwed up. I know mine was. Merry Christmas and find someone who needs help.

Amen, I think about this many times when I see the postings on here that are entitled "here's my newest acquisition......here it is with the other 27 just like it." I wonder if some share their blessings. I know some on here do.

There's nothing wrong with having things, as long as you share with others. Me, Me, Me is a poor theme song for life.

I have to confess, this lesson took me a while to learn, so I'm not judging, just saying think about it, the looks on the people's faces you help are worth far more than what you spend.

Nice job Tlay, thanks for helping make the world a better place!! God Bless.

[tlay]

I too am not judging. I have more than my share of things including Smiths. But wouldn't it be a great thing to buy someone clothes instead of another Smith. I don't want anyone to feel bad about buying anything. Most of us work hard enough to enjoy them.
Just once in awhile volunteer to help someone. I volunteered for the Navy, a volunteer fire department a church group, and now a group called CERN. But my body is giving out on me and I am afraid I won't be volunteering much longer. That is why I try to get others involved. If not you then who?

[Lost Lake]

Bless you tlay.

Your reward will be 7 fold, I truly believe that.

If there were more people like you in this country we would truly be the greatest nation in the world.

.

[tlay]

I looked at my posts and I seem to be coming off like a jerk. I preach about helping others and not buying for yourself and I belong to a forum about buying and selling guns.
It doesn't take a lot of money to volunteer to help, just some time. Anything you do will come back 10 fold in how you feel.

[BrianE]

Not enough people in the world like you!

[cussedemgun]

Originally Posted by tlay

I think sometimes our priorities are screwed up. I know mine was. Merry Christmas and find someone who needs help.

GOOD on ya tlay, I do believe you just found the true meaning of Christmas.

The fun part for me is doing a kindness in a way that they don't know where it came from.

My disclaimer, "WOW, there truly is a SANTA"

[S&W45Colt]

Originally Posted by tlay

I looked at my posts and I seem to be coming off like a jerk. I preach about helping others and not buying for yourself and I belong to a forum about buying and selling guns.
It doesn't take a lot of money to volunteer to help, just some time. Anything you do will come back 10 fold in how you feel.

No, you are not. You are coming off of as someone who cares about others and is making a valid point. You did not condemn owning firearms or collecting them, nor did I. The point is sometimes, we need to help others. Sometimes, it's perfectly fine to buy yourself something.

I know a guy who goes to Vegas and spends quite freely. When he comes back, he cuts a check to a local charity for the same amount, it's not mine to judge, but that seems like a reasonable way to approach it, at least to me.