The holidays are known to be a season of giving. It’s a time when you extend a hand to help out others or you dig deep into your pocketbook to spare some change.
We teach our children the importance of giving unto others and how the holidays aren’t just about receiving. These lessons are sometimes taught through physical acts of service, such as helping out in a soup kitchen or delivering presents to a needy family.
There is so much value in teaching our children these things. But I think what’s even more important is that they don’t see this as a once-a-year event. What if we taught our children to be givers the whole year through?
Giving is something that tends to come quite naturally for me. In fact, it was something I began doing at an early age.
As a teenager, my trek to high school consisted of taking two separate city buses. I can’t tell you the number of “colorful” characters I ran into.
But I never felt afraid (even though I probably should have). I was drawn to those who were different or less fortunate. And so I would give out of whatever money or possessions I had available.
Over the past year, I have been regularly giving to a homeless man that frequently hangs out at the grocery store I shop in. My children have seen me hand over whatever change I can scrape up or at times large bills. They have also seen me purchase him water and food.
This past week he was sitting just inside the store. The weather has turned very cold here in the Midwest, so he was certainly trying to warm up.
After I purchased my groceries and was heading his way, I saw another woman with two children approach him. I held back and heard her say, “Is there anything in particular you need?” He shrugged his shoulders, replying with, “Anything.”
She smiled at him and responded with an “Okay.” But before she could walk away, I quickly interjected, “His name is Dan!” I wanted her to know that he had a name.
You see, the giving part is really the easy thing if you think about it. I’m glad my children have witnessed my ability to give and I hope it’s something they learn to do.
But I think there is an even more powerful lesson to learn. It’s taking the time to truly know someone.
I can give, feel good about myself, get a pat on the back and move on with life. But there is something special that happens when you take the time to get to know someone in need.
I chose several months ago to ask this homeless man his name. Because of that, my children can now acknowledge him by it. Giving is sweet but doing it all year round and choosing to know a person is even sweeter.