Time to Be the Blessing

Now that the honeymoon phase of a new school year is over with and birthdays have come and gone, we here in the Ritz household are gearing up for get-togethers, eating too much, celebrating Christmas, and making the most of our days off. One thing we are looking forward to at Thanksgiving is volunteering at a collection center for Operation Christmas Child (an annual charity that collects shoeboxes full of gifts from people and gets them into the hands of children in third world countries across the globe). And Tim has decided that he would make a sincere effort to give more than receive this year for Christmas and is starting to generate a list of things he would like to do for people, even the strangers we live next-door to in the apartment complex. This year, more so than in years past, the Holy Spirit seems to have set it in our hearts collectively as a family to seek out and bless those around us and those in need. 
May I encourage you (and your family) to go beyond any typical charitable giving and put in some face-time with those you seek to bless this year? There are people everywhere that could use some interaction with you besides just getting an email or taking your money. Friends, coworkers, neighbors, people you see on a regular basis that know your name (but you still haven't learned theirs), shut-ins, homeless shelters, prisoners, depressed folks down the hall, people grieving, wealthy people who don't have anyone close to them, those who struggle with sin, people who have all the reasons in the world to be frustrated (maybe even frustrated with God), people who are doing fine but could use another kind word of Truth and a hug, that person you haven't talked with in forever because that one time y'all had a disagreement that got a little more than heated, etc. You know who I'm talking about... yeah, that person who just came to mind. Go and BE the blessing along with whatever sweet token you intend to bless them with. May we all be His hands and feet this holiday season. 

Romans 12:9-13   9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love.Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

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