Is what you’ve been given enough?

Our family holds a special tradition that every evening throughout December, an elf brings little treats and leaves them in a Christmas mailbox we have. This tradition started when our oldest, who’s now 15, was 5 years old. The other morning, our 4-year-old walked over to the mailbox and pulled out a bag of gummy bears. The bright red and green Haribo Christmas gummy bears. As he pulled out the bag, he realized there was only one regular-size bag. That meant he had to…wait for it…share!

He was not having it. He ate his breakfast quickly and bounced around with ants in his pants waiting for me to open the bag. I handed it back to him and explained he could have a few for now because he would need to share with his siblings too. He only half heard me while popping one in his mouth and was in his gummy bear glory.

Immediately after, his sister came out of her room curious what the elf had brought them. Corban showed her what he presumed was his very own glorious gummy bears. I reminded him to share as he tucked the bag under his arm and tried to swiftly walk in the opposite direction. As I gently took the bag from him and sprinkled some gummy bears into my hand to give to his sister with intentions to return the bag to him…HE. LOST. IT.

Crying with his mouth wide open and green and red gummy bears stuck all in his teeth. At 6:30AM on a Tuesday. Lord, help me.

He couldn’t even enjoy the gummy bear he was eating because he was so focused on the ones he didn’t have.

Have you ever done this? Have you ever been so focused on what you didn’t have that you’ve missed appreciating what you do have? Or have you ever been so focused on what other’s have that you don’t, and forgotten to be thankful for the things you do?

Christmas is here and all the new materialistic things can quickly distract us from the things that really matter…

The Holidays sometimes send people into a depression or downward spiral of emotions as they focus on the monetary items, finances, and people they don’t have in their life. They have hit financial struggles, lost loved ones or had major life changes.

I invite you to take inventory of the gifts in your life that money can’t buy this Christmas. Of the things that mean the most.

What are you most thankful for? Write it down and put it up somewhere you can be reminded daily or even multiple times a day.

There are significant neurological benefits to spending time in gratitude. Drink up those positive neurochemicals and set your focus on the gifts you do have.

And be willing to share them with others.

In this season, is what God has given you, enough?

Love & Blessings,

Erica