“Oh hear those cash registers jingling and credit card companies joyfully singing to you…”
“Keep charging and charging for soon the bill shall come due.” “Thanks for the interest you will be paying too.”

Ah, the holidays are upon us once again and retailers can’t wait to entice you to shop early on that Great Thanksgiving eve. I don’t think the Turkey is happy about those early bird specials…..do you?  Thanksgiving we overeat and Christmas we overspend. Turkey Day excess can be fixed with a little determination and a treadmill. Overspending on Christmas keeps us on the debt treadmill even longer.  Who likes being on a treadmill anyway? Not me, unless you hold out a plate of cookies. This month is a little warning about debt and overspending. Why? Didn’t we cover this like three blogs ago? Yep, however, this is when weak thinking occurs; that next toy or material thingy will just make the other person happy forever. We succumb to emotion and …oops American Excess bill. DEBT PRESUMES THE FUTURE. Do you know the future?

Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. “

We have all heard this a bazillion times: “Yes Jason, we get it..pay cash, don’t use those cards. We know Christmas can be planner for because it is the same date every year.”

Correct and read a little further in Proverbs and up pops this GEM!!!

Proverbs 22:9 “The Lord blesses everyone who freely gives food to the poor.”

This Christmas, let’s try not only showing our loved ones we are thinking about them through a thoughtful gift, let’s serve together. Maybe it’s doing to food pantry together or some other family act of service to those in need. This helps family understand the value of giving of their time. Maybe have your kids figure out what they are good at and have them teach that to someone else so they learn about giving of their talent.  Maybe have the family pick out their favorite charity and the kids give a “share check,” where they share with the charity and then follow up with the results of that giving. This will teach them the value of giving their treasure.

Here’s the most important thing…. We were given the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through the hustle and bustle of our daily walk show HIS light. Be more patient while waiting in line. Pay for more meals for the person behind you in the drive thru. Ask the Lord to give you his Peace when with that one family member. No one can love like family and no one can wound like family so be slow to anger and slow to speak.  Know you are of immeasurable worth and you are loved with the everlasting love.