How to Be Refreshed

XL and TJ show off the gifts we chose for Geno.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

-Proverbs 11:25

Our church home here in Menomonie sponsors several families every year, providing each family with a Christmas meal and gifts of both toys and clothing for the children.  A large bulletin board is covored in index cards - each card has the name of a child, their age, their clothing size and their toy preferences.  My hubby and I have typically given back by sponsoring kids over the years during Christmas, but we really enjoy sharing this tradition with our boys now that they're old enough to be involved.

This year our church sponsored 9 families; last year, it sponsored 8.  However, last year, I recall that we'd decided to choose a child from the board - and the boys (well, actually just Tobey - Xander didn't really get it yet ...) were so excited to choose an index card, but by the time we got to the board, every single card had been claimed!  Now, this is an incredible joy - of course - in that everyone was cared for so quickly - but was an incredible disappointment for my 7-year old, eager with anticipation.  :-(  So, this year - we ran (yes, RAN) to the board to choose a card. 

Tobey chose a boy named Geno who is 9 and likes Legos and Transformers.  The whole Riedmann family headed off to good old K-Mart (we've not so many choices here in Menomonie) and had the best time selecting clothes and toys, wrapping them up, and returning them to the church where Geno's family have (by now) picked them up and brought them home for Christmas.

Tonight, we'll open our gifts to one another here at home after enjoying our Christmas meal and listening to the Story from Luke, chapter 2 - AND we'll also be thinking about a little boy named Geno, who we may never meet, opening the gifts that we got to choose for him.  What a blessing to have been given enough to give to others.  Thank you God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!!

And ... like the verse above ... nothing is so refreshing as refreshing others!  Nothing!  Don't believe me?  Try it!  ;-)