angels...

I have been a little overwhelmed and a bit disappointed with the holiday posts of some of my friends. People seem so worried about what gifts they need to buy, the shopping they need to do, the items they need to be comfortable on trips and all of those other commercial things that Christmas brings. Not to get on a soap box but I am wondering if they have taken the time to look around them to realize that everything they need is right in front of their eyes.

This has been bothering me for the last few weeks. It hit especially hard when I stood in front of the Angel Tree in the lobby at the Y last week. There were angel cutouts representing 450 children that were part of our yearly angel tree program. 450 children. Double the number we had last year. I felt overwhelmed as I stood there and chose three angels. There were some children that were only asking for t-shirts and socks. T-shirts and socks. Let me say that again...T-shirts and socks. I can not remember a year as a child that I wished for Santa to bring me T-shirts and socks. Struck a chord. I took three angels, chose gifts for them and brought them back to work to be distributed at the party.

I just got home from the Angel Tree Party at the Y. Imagine the gym, filled with children and parents celebrating the holiday season. There were not there wishing for fancy trips, North Face jackets, Ugg boots or jewlery. They were there to see Santa, and recieve their gift from the Angels that looked out for them. 450 Children that would have gone with out. 450 children. I was assigned to the check-in table where the children game to get their gifts. With each passed out present, each saucer sized eye and excited squeel upon seeing their gift, my heart got heavier. There is so much need out there and I have everything I need. There is not one thing that I could honestly say I am suffering for not having. All these kids asked for was a transformer, a baby doll and t-shirts and socks. Wow. If that does not ground you, bring you back to reality, I am not sure what does.

My heart is heavy for those who are cold tonight, those who are hungry and don't have a safe place to lay their head, those that will never go on fancy trips, wear Ugg boots or North Face jackets, those who only wished for T-shirt and Socks this Christmas. This holiday has gotten out of control. Since when does the birth of Jesus Christ require store decorations to be put up in October? Expensive Christmas presents? Fancy holiday parties? Am I missing something here?

I am blessed to have been given a special gift. I go to work every day to make a differnence in the life of someone else. In the end, the one who recieves the biggest reward is me. Tonight grounded me. Shook me. Made stop and Thank God for all of the blessings I have in my life. I urge you to take a look at what you have around you. Hug your husband's neck just a little harder. Call your Papa and tell him just how much he means to you. Drive home for Christmas, no matter the distance, to spend time with the people you love. Take the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. And please, stop putting up a Facebook status about how stressed you are about the holidays and how much shopping you need to do.