'Tis the Season

I had a hard time sleeping last night. There was a pain in my leg, (probably from my knee replacement surgery in August) that kept me awake pretty much the entire night. I got up, took a shower, went back to bed, got up again, soaked in the tub, and finally after about 7:00 a.m., I went to sleep for three hours. I'll catch up, I'm sure, and in the meantime, my leg isn't feeling like it was.
Today's been kind of a lazy day. I'm roasting a bone-in ham, and I made a new (and fantastic!) rice pudding recipe with dried cranberries, instead of raisins. And suddenly it occurred to me that I live in plenty. Do I feel like my budget's tight? Of course! Who doesn't? But I am warm and I don't worry if I'll have heat. I didn't have to go to the grocery store, count pennies, and try to determine if I had enough to make an 'extra' like rice pudding.  I had the funds to buy a ham that'll probably make me a week's worth of meals when it was on sale for $.79/lb. Enough-and then some. I plan, I purchase, I go through the motions, and I often lose sight of the fact that not too far from me, there are people who are shivering and hungry. People who don't get the chance to stand around in the morning trying to determine what they'll wear that day, or what they'll pack up for their lunch. They're standing somewhere in all the clothes they own, hoping they'll be able to get even one meal. 
Plenty. I. Have. Plenty. Yet I live such a selfish life, that without even giving it a thought, I am most often wanting more. I'm dissatisfied with plenty! How arrogant. How very sad. 
I'm going to challenge myself-to give out of my plenty. "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45). What do I have to complain about? I have shelter, clothing, food, a job, family, friends, a couple of crazy cats...I have plenty. Love means nothing, unless you give it away. Give-out of love for your fellow man. Give because you're grateful. Give because...you. Have. Plenty. 
May you feel the blessings of this holiday season, and spread the joy of knowing the reason for the season!