Robbing ourselves of joy

Have you ever robbed yourself of joy?

Ashley Campbell recently wrote a blog about losing her joy in the midst of Christmas giving. Her story is one that many of us can relate to during the busyness of the season.

Along with her narrative, Ashley posted beautiful photos of a storybook about St. Nicholas that was written by VOM’s Editor-in-Chief, Cheryl Odden (click here for more information about this book).

St. Nicholas lived a life marked by giving and sharing with those in need. Giving gave him joy. Does giving produce the same result in us?

Below are excerpts of the text and images from Ashley’s blog. I hope that during this hectic season you will joyfully give of your time and talents in thankfulness for the gift of God’s Son!

I want to raise givers. I want to be a giver. The saying that it is better to give than receive is so very true. Sure it is fun to get a gift or a special surprise – it is tons of fun – but there is a deeper more sustaining joy that comes with giving. Giving makes a happy heart. I’ve learned that. I’m still learning that. I want my kids to experience the kind of consuming joy that is so much deeper than the happiness of receiving.

This week Chris met the kids and I at Walmart after school. Our church is one of the host sites for Toys for Tots and we were armed with a list of some of the biggest toys needs. I told each of the boys they could pick out x-number of gifts for another boy their age. I wanted them to have fun, to be excited to give, to enjoy the adventure of it all.

There was the part of me that was thrilled to be given much so that along side my kids I could give much. Then there is the part of me that gets tense and high strung when going into a store with all four kids. My kids are well behaved for the most part, but I worry way too much about what others think when they see me out with all four.

The boys were so excited. Their voices were a bit louder than normal. They would pick up a toy and then set it down to look at another. They wanted to dart from aisle to aisle in search of the perfect gifts for boys that may only receive one present this Christmas. A few times they were in the center of the aisle and didn’t move out a stranger’s way quite fast enough.

Basically, I wanted to contain all their excitement and just get the job done. When we checked out, I looked at Chris and told him, “Next year I am just doing this by myself.”

We got to the church. Completely stressed and frazzled, I wanted to just unload it myself and go home. Each of the kids wanted to help unload and carry bags inside. They laughed. They ran, They carried bags bigger than they are….they relished the act of giving. My thoughts were on the spectacle we were at Walmart.

The next morning, I read Ann Voskamp’s words, “Only self can kill joy. I’m the one doing this to me.”

I wanted my kids to experience the joy of giving, but I was so blinded by concern about what others thought of my family…I robbed myself of joy.

Instead of relishing and etching the memory of their joy filled faces in my mind, I chose to focus on the grumpy faces of strangers.

Instead of being in a life changing moment with my kids, I was wanting to change the moment.

Instead of delighting in a shopping spree of fun, I couldn’t get to the check out line fast enough.

I did it to myself.

I missed out.

My kids taught me the unabashed excitement of giving. Instead of just picking a gift and being done with it, they showed me the delight in choosing the best gift even if it means picking up and setting down 20 others first. They showed me a truly happy heart in giving delights in the process as much as the gift….and doesn’t care if everyone else thinks their zeal and delight in giving is annoying. My kids got it this week. And they taught me in the process.

A letter from Ukraine

Hand-embroidered items
sent to VOM from Ukraine

Under the Communist rule of the former Soviet Union, thousands of believers were martyred and many others were detained in prisons and concentration camps in Ukraine. Today, many of the survivors from this period are elderly and face health challenges. The rising cost of living outweighs their insufficient pensions, and many now live in poverty.

VOM serves these faithful brothers and sisters by providing monthly financial support to pensioners. By supporting them, we remember and honour their faithful service and sacrifice to the Lord.

We recently received a letter from Olena, thanking VOM for its support, and we want to share it with you. Because, it’s through your support and prayers that we can provide for her.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Friends!

Thank you very much for the help that was especially generous this year. I regularly receive the help. It’s a pity that perhaps you take away from yourselves in order to help us. We have nothing to pay you back except a prayer. I ask God to be gracious to you and bless your work and your generous hands.

I give you over a simple present: a small embroidered pillow, a female embroidered blouse and an embroidery for a man shirt (unfortunately, I don’t know what size do you wear) and portrait of the famous Ukrainian poet Shevchenko. Maybe, it is not done so nicely, because I can’t see well anymore and my hands do not serve me so well. I am 84 years old. I live together with my son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. My son is already on a pension, my daughter-in-law and grandson work. It is not easy to live in our small provincial town.


We live very modestly and buy only necessary things. But we thank God for everything.

I am very grateful to you for the Bible.... It helps me a lot and gives me strength to live.

Every day I pray for all of you.

Sincerely Yours,

Olena

You can find out more about the ways in which VOM supports persecuted Christians around the world by visiting VOM’s website.