One of our after Christmas Traditions is to carry all the children and grandchildren shopping with the gift cards that received for Christmas. I am not much of a shopper, but the trip is one of the most enjoyable shopping trips of the year. I watch as each child chooses where they want to shop and what they want to purchase with their gift cards. It’s amazing how the different personalities show up in the way the six grandchildren spend their money. The best part is when we all gather back together and each one shares what they bought and the buying experience. One grandchild said she loved the fact that this year the gift card was a few more dollars than last year. LOL! It never gets old. It’s a fun event to be a part of. I believe God enjoys watching His children using the gifts He gives them, as well as hearing all the stories we share about using our gifts. (Exodus 35:10 All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded.) God has given each of us different talents and provides grace according to how He wants us to use them. All of our talents are different and God loves to watch all of us use our talents to display His love for others. God gives each of us the ability, time, energy, strength, and health as well as material means to us use for the Kingdom of God. It pleases Him to watch us disperse throughout the world and use those talents to help others. If you use your gift for God’s glory, you may find that next year you have even more talents to use. God gave us the Gift of Christmas and He expects us to use those gifts all year long. How are you using your gifts? Pastor Don [image: image.png]