Just before the holiday season in 2010, I had the opportunity to travel to Content Gap, Jamaica (located atop the beautiful Blue Mountains) to participate in a mission trip with my church.  It was the first time that I had ever traveled or taken a “vacation” for purely unselfish reasons. Vacation time is usually about person enjoyment, relaxation and/or entertainment. Even times when I have traveled for trainings or conferences, the reason for the trip is for my own personal or professional growth.  And during those trips, I have always found some way to have some fun while I was away! This trip was different. I work in the field of education and I was traveling to an orphanage in Jamaica to work in their on-site school. This trip was all about providing service to others and sharing my “gifts and talents” with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Little did I know how much I would, in fact, gain from my time there.

Our arrival in Jamaica came right on the heels of a huge tropical storm. It had left the fragile mountaintop compound with gaping holes in the ceilings, no phone lines, blown out exterior lights, and limited access to running water. Despite all of the lack that seemed to surround these “poor little orphan children”, they possessed a spirit of abundance that I had never encountered before.   As we gathered together in the makeshift sanctuary for testimony and prayer on that first night, I was completely humbled by the shared prayer requests of the children. My Americanized worldview convinced me that their petitions, just weeks before Christmas, would be for material things – clothes, toys, shoes, video games and the like.  However, their hearts were breaking for the plight of their nation, the safety of those impacted by the tropical storm, the health and wellbeing of the missionary directors, the financial provision of the orphanage, their “witness” to their schoolmates, and the needs of their American visitors.  You could have knocked me over with a feather – not one appeal for any personal or material anything.  As I spent more time with those precious children over the next few days and had the privilege of joining hands and hearts with them individually in evening prayers, I began to better understand that I was the one who suffered from lack. I lacked a childlike faith that God would provide for all of my needs.  I lacked a heart that truly sought after God simply for the privilege of knowing Him intimately. I lacked a prayer life that petitioned the Father on behalf of others.  I lacked a true application of the Apostle Paul’s exhortation that we learn to be content in whatever circumstance.  I lacked a heart that truly broke for the things that broke God’s heart.

I left Jamaica feeling like my soul had been restored, my perspective on life had been refreshed and my desire to do more for others expanded. This trip of “service,” was one of the most valuable and amazing experiences that I have ever had. The most profound moments for me were the times when the children would ask me what I was in need of so that they could pray for me. Even though they did not have much in terms of material things they were still eager to give what they had – their faith and their prayers.

Sometimes the best gifts that we can share are those that can’t be purchased from a store. Each of us has something within ourselves that we can give to empower, encourage or equip others in our community. The holiday season is commonly referred to the Season of Giving and it is a great time to focus on the gifts that we can give to others. What a powerful experience and lesson it can be for our families to use the celebration of the birth of Jesus to truly emulate Jesus by giving of ourselves in service others.

Over the next week, talk with your family about ways that you can serve others during the month of December.  There are a number of possibilities available:

• Volunteer at the local food bank
• Serve meals at your community Loaves and Fishes
• Adopt a family in need and provide a holiday meal &/or gifts for them
• Volunteer to reshelf books at the neighborhood library
• Prepare a meal for a women’s shelter
• Collect hats, scarves, socks &/or gloves to donate an organization that serves the homeless population
• Lead an art, craft, exercise or book club at a senior care facility
• Commit to giving away one item for every Christmas gift that is received

As I was reminded during my trip, what we give isn’t nearly as important as the heart with which we give it.  And the “reward” that we gain by serving others as a family is one of the best gifts that we can give our children this season.