Our Money Story: Generosity Reflection

Over the last few weeks, members of our Shawnee Community family have shared their generosity story. This week’s reflection is from Kristie Welder. Thank you for sharing with us.

I want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas…but sometimes what I really want is a new me-size Snuggie.

It’s so easy to overspend on stuff, mostly on stuff we don’t need, this time of year. I get swept up in the deals, the commercials, the delight in my children’s faces. It’s such a high to transform whatever negative emotion, or just boredom, that I might be feeling into the thrill of a new toy, or dress, or face cream. The deep longing that we all have for peace and fulfillment remains, but this is the prime time of the year to pretend that buying more stuff is actually buying us serenity.

It’s easy to condemn our capitalistic, materialistic culture. It’s hard to fight it. 

It’s easy to be generous toward my loved ones and with myself. It’s hard to be generous toward the church. 

There are ways to make it easier. Especially, for me, by making a plan. This is a wonderful time to fill out the church’s pledge form and set up automatic donations directly from a bank account. It’s a great opportunity to prayerfully, deliberately focus on giving. And pledges are hugely helpful to the church in order to plan next year’s budget.

Please consider making a pledge here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPU_AxXlZfzcaZ7b4gpmetSBitth7gM4H3wY79WB2k7zqI0A/viewform?usp=sf_link

On behalf of the Generosity Team, thank you for your support of this wonderful community!