Stepping Stones: Christmas Shopping Ideas

Transformational Thought

Well, we are done with Halloween, finished digesting Thanksgiving, and did some frantic Black Friday chauffeuring for my girls. Christmas is right around the corner…so how are you doing with your shopping list? Shopping isn’t my thing, never was, never will be as I am a minimalist in my needs and comfort. Since I don’t like shopping, and hate all the stores, I have evolved into a Christmas Eve shopper…which really is a lot more fun. People are in better moods…excitement in the air…less than 24 hours ‘til Christmas…everything really festive wherever you go. Great sales. Try it this year.

But, you see, shopping, to me, is about finding something to fill a need for someone. To me, shopping is intended not just for a want, but for a need. As a psychiatrist, when I think about “shopping” for something to help someone’s need, the items people need aren’t found in any store. Value…purpose…connection…identity…security…consistency…meaning…competence… love…relationship with our almighty Creator and Father, our God. These precious needs are what we all desire and need…what we are all yearning for. We wish they could be easily bought and given to us.

This is the true and amazing story of Christmas. God gave us the most loving and unbelievable gift of all time to fully meet all our needs. It cost Him and Jesus a lot…but it is truly free to us. Really, it is the grandest gift ever given. This wondrous gift and love is what we are blessed to celebrate on Christmas Day.

Today, as Christmas and shopping start to weigh in on your priority list for the next several weeks, think how you will receive God’s gift, every day, to affect the issues you struggle with…to address and meet your needs. God has given you what you need. Learn how to use it. WITHIN REACH can help you apply God’s gift to your needs. Think about how you can give God’s gift to loved ones who need it. It will be the best present you can ever give them. Think of those you can send this Stepping Stones to and then forward it to them.

Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so amazing and awesome. Thanks so much for loving me and caring about my well-being. Not only do You care for me, You even sacrificed Your only Son, sent Him to die for me…not because I did great things for You, but because I am a wretched sinner. I am so happy You are the perfect shopper and got me the perfect gift. I pray in the name of the one You sent to forgive me, save me, and heal me, the perfect Christmas gift, Jesus Christ Himself; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16,17

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31,32

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Malachi 3:10

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4