December 18, 2014
The Tulsa Christmas Parade is over and done. It was definitely exhausting, but more rewarding than I could have imagined. I can’t express how appreciative I am of our family of volunteers at American Waste Control who stepped up to the plate and made it a success.
I’ve never before seen such a dedicated group of folks who were so sacrificially willing to put their sweat and tears into a project… and reap nothing but the reward of making others feel connected as a community.
I think we did something significant last weekend, and I mean that sincerely. Not only did our efforts underscore who we are as a company but also our faith in God and community. It was an expression of love and giving, and there’s no greater gift we could have offered.
For now, we’ve parked the gingerbread house in storage and put away the costumes we wore. Few of us will remember all the details of what we’ve experienced, but that’s ok.
The important thing is we have something stay on within us. Giving is more joyous than receiving, not because we deny ourselves in the process, but because in the act of giving lies the highest expression of our relationship with God.
I’m always reminded of the phrase “peace on earth, good will toward man” this time of year. The angels sang it to some lonely shepherds in a field on a rather celebrated night some years ago. I believe our deepest desires are to know that peace and goodwill more intimately in our hearts.
I also believe it can only be ours if we are passionately willing to share it with others. We’re never really fulfilled out of an obligation to act in love for people…we only feel true joy when we build a bridge out of the goodwill we’ve stored up and reveal a relentless desire to change another’s circumstances for the better.
We give because he first gave to us, Jesus Christ. He showed us how.
And, each moment we spend in service to others—of giving up of ourselves for the sake of community and impacting people—is a moment that will continue on into eternity.
I hope we remember that and continue to look for ways to give and show love… at Christmas and throughout the year.
Merry Christmas,
Paul
