Faithfully Given, Humbly Received

Are you a cheerful contributor or a pensive philanthropist? Have you lost patience with the outstretched hands of the churches and charities in your local community as you rush to finish the last Christmas details?

The final shopping days of Christmas are upon us and that bell ringer outside the shopping mall entrance never seems to lose their enthusiasm or energy. The final Sunday Services and mid-week activities continue to be celebrated in our local churches and the collection plate continues to circulate. Newscasters on our local television stations continue to remind viewers of the local opportunities to give to the needy and the homeless. Toy drive, coat drive, and food drive boxes still obstruct the entrances of schools and stores around our cities and communities.

"Every Christmas season in America we are assaulted with charities and churches pleading, fervently, for our donations for the poor, the needy, the sick, the widowed and the orphan. We each respond, in our own individual way and continue along our Merry Christmas way until the silence and stillness of the New Year settles in."

As you consider your last minute donations to your church, or to the bucket or the box at the grocery store entry have you ever paused, wishing you'd receive some response? How often have we hoped to see or hear the results of our action? Do you wonder if you made a difference in the life of another? Have you ever hoped for a "thank you" or a "you shouldn't have" from the people who will receive your gift on Christmas? Have you entertained thoughts of regret or concern as you considered your selections?

A long withheld response to those concerns was published yesterday and is available for online purchase. "Faithfully Given, Humbly Received" can be downloaded and printed for congregations or individuals who would be blessed to receive report of the possible results of their efforts. A printed paperback version is also available and will ship in time for Christmas if ordered quickly.

"Faithfully Given, Humbly Received" relates a true story of the struggles, fears, triumphs and charitable salvation as a young impoverished mother prepares her home for Christmas.

"Faithfully Given, Humbly Received" tells of the inspired, the preplanned and the last minute efforts of neighbors and a local church stepping up to share the true love of Christ at Christmas.

"Faithfully Given, Humbly Received" shares a mother's long suppressed gratitude "for those people ... who gave from their want. For the people ... who gave from their plenty. For the prayers that were answered, for the thought that was taken, and for all the considerations that were discussed ..."

"Faithfully Given, Humbly Received" is a long uttered and silent prayer of gratitude that few besides God and the angels have heard.