Hello! My name is Candy Pearson. Most of you don’t know me because I’m somewhat new to The 410 Bridge and this is my very first blog post. (whoo hoo!)
I know you must be on pins and needles wondering what I have chosen to write about for my very first post. So lets end the suspense…I want to talk about Christmas!
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I mean who doesn’t love hot apple cider, peppermint bark, decorations, and Christmas music? Plus, you get to spend time with the people that mean the most to you, which for me are my friends and family.
My husband (Chad) and I have been married for 5 years and in the past, we have always went “all out” on gifts, especially gifts for the kids in our family. I can’t believe I’m admitting to this, but we used to wake up at 3 am, the day after Thanksgiving, just so we could get “those amazing deals”. And trust me, we got some crazy good deals!! I believe that one year, we probably spent around $800 on $2000 worth of stuff! Sounds amazing, I know, but instead of being excited about that, I look back now and really think about the money we spent and what we spent it on, and it makes my heart break. I bet you that most of those gifts are now either outgrown, tossed away, or perhaps in a corner collecting dust somewhere.
That makes me think hard about WHAT Christmas actually means to me.
Chad and I are in the process of starting our family through adoption, and this process has really challenged me to re-think some things in my life. For example, I often ponder about our future and especially the future of our children. I think about the qualities I would like to instill in them, what kind of character traits I hope they have. I also hope that they live with compassion and will always realize what REALLY matters and what doesn’t.
I also like to think about which traditions we will instill in our growing family, especially for birthdays and religious holidays. Will we continue with what our families did when we were growing up? Or will we take this opportunity to start our own new traditions? The more Chad and I discuss and the more we become aware of others in this world, the answer becomes clear.
We have all heard the line, “It’s better to give than to receive.” I mean, Jesus, of all people said it! And you know that has to be true, and we all know that to be true! BUT, whom are we supposed to give to? In today’s heavily advertised world, it becomes a tough decision. Let’s look at who the Bible says we should give to…
“For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported. I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved…whatever you have done to the least of these, you’ve done it to Me.” *
I believe that not only our family, but your families as well, have an amazing opportunity and perhaps even a call to start a new tradition this year! God has called us to give to “the least of these” and what a better chance to do that than during the season of giving that we have come to know as Christmas. And if you believe in this and you believe in what we do at The 410 Bridge, I would like to encourage you to start a new family tradition along with us, The Pearsons, by giving to the Christmas in Kenya program. The 410 Bridge has a goal to provide children and families in all 410 communities with a Christmas gift. By giving just $15, your family can provide a gift for a person that would not normally receive anything for Christmas and by doing so, change the way you and your family do Christmas.
Looking back, I wish we had that $800 to spend on Christmas again! If we did, I am sure that we wouldn’t be spending it on Tickle Me Elmo. My eyes and heart have been opened up to “the least of these” and I know now that I can never look back.
Click here to learn more about Christmas in Kenya.
*Matthew 25 – According to Richard Streans – President of World Vision.
