On this Thankful Thursday I had a chance to catch up on the phone with one of my dear friend, who lives in Alaska.

We used to live there as most of you know, but as the Youngest SON of Thunder says, we’ve been on an epic journey and somehow got from Alaska to Georgia. I love the whole epic journey thing!

I have only seen my friend twice in almost thirteen years.   But like many of my dear friends, we make an intentional effort to stay close by phone, whether we are hundreds of miles apart or not.

The four-hour time change however does makes catching up a bit tricky.  Like most women, we talked about everything under the sun and eventually we got to talking about Christmas, gift giving, mailing packages and what our loved ones wanted wrapped under the tree.  I remember saying something like ” I just don’t need anything” and she too said “I just said  the same thing to my husband yesterday.”

We pondered and discussed, “What on earth could we possible need?”

Of course, who doesn’t want more family time, more vacations, more Christmas decoration and shoes ( Ok, just kidding) Not sure Winters would believe that though.

And then there is that favorite perfume we’ve run out of.  But in reality what could we really possibly NEED.

I do not need any more stuff in my life and truth be told, I have plenty of shoes. (Ha, The Writer said).  Sure, if I go shopping I will likely see a pair I can’t live without so I don’t walk through the shoe department anymore and that is the truth.

Of course, the SONs feel they NEED more stuff, but they are typical American kids.  I wish I could say I am raising young philanthropists, but Winters and I are still working on that. But we have told them this year will be a little more minimalist than those in the past.

But as for the Little Black Dress, Well, I’m good for this year. Honestly, I can’t think of anything I really “need.”
But, it all happens only when a person is sexually stimulated because it is the key to religion in Egypt. cialis sample This enhances sexual stimulation and actually offers better results when it comes to sexual performance in men. buy cheapest viagra Delivery: find out if there is extra delivery charged or they will deliver the product free of cost. usa cheap viagra It surely provides a user true benefit of having cheap viagra price an ED medicine for indulging in the issues such as psychological pressures, dullness or stress related factors then can have a good period of time with regular use of this herbal remedy.
I had to get a new washing machine so I don’t need that anymore.  Praise God and as for  Winters’ car is 100 years old, but for today it is running strong and so for now we don’t need that either.

But as for my girlfriend  she had a great idea. She suggested that whatever her husband had planned to spend on her this Christmas he could simply write a check and mail it to their friends whose daughter had a stroke and was gravely ill and only in her twenties. Now that family needs something. They need a lot more than my friend and I.

The families in New Jersey trying to rebuild their lives after the horrific storm have needs much greater than mine.

I am reminded of the powerful scripture “to whom much is given much is required.”  I feel required this year to be wise and to savor that which I have and not long for what I don’t.  Learning as the apostle Paul said “learning to be content,” is a very good thing.

God blesses us so that we in turn may be a blessing.  There’s a popular bumper sticker that says  “In the end, whoever has the most toys win.” Winters can’t stand that slogan, nor can I. We will not take any of those toys with us. The only thing that matters is what we leave behind – our legacy.

Last week I made three trips to the local women’s shelter’s thrift shop. I handed over bags of stuff.  Winters calls it stuff. But to me, they were things I loved, great memories and some great things, yet things we no longer needed.  It was time to let them go and bless someone else with the things I had loved.  Letting go is a freeing feeling.

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year.  I love the songs of Christ’s birth, I love decorating and I love gift giving.  I also love receiving gifts too.  But this year the gifts under the tree just don’t seem as important as the gift of the health of our family, Winters working and writing and my speaking and new career as a Life Coach.  Those are gifts that can’t be wrapped in any box.

So on this Thankful Thursday as we approach Christmas, may we  remember all the gift in our life that can’t be wrapped in any box but are still precious gifts all the same.

Be blessed and encouraged abundantly today as we celebrate and remember Christ’s birth, the reason for the season and the precious gifts HE has given us.