The “Are We There Yets” and the “How Much Longers” had subsided after the first two hours. Territorial boundaries were now established and seating arrangements were understood to be permanent, unless both parties agreed upon change. All were finally resolved to the fact that this would be a ten-hour trip, and no amount of bickering, quarreling or complaining would change that. Thankfully, because we all love Aunt Beth, these were not major issues.

Traffic was indeed heavier but moving steadily along on this, the busiest traveling day of the year. My husband had already completed the first five-hour stretch, after putting in a half day of work at the office. Returning home, he had then attached the rooftop carrier to our 12-passenger van, loading it with sleeping bags, pillows, and lightweight baggage. The heavier suitcases and food boxes he had puzzled into the back storage area, with the children’s “treasure-filled” backpacks, reading material, and games being stuffed under their assigned seats. When these preparations were completed, my husband then took the first shift behind the wheel.

At 8 p.m., when stomachs were growling loudly and legs needed to be stretched, we took our first break. After seeking out a reputable fast-food hoagie chain, we ordered five, foot-long sandwiches, to be split and shared among ten people. This, combined with our home bought chips and ice water, comprised our dinner. Our 20-minute reprieve was just enough to revitalize everyone for the last stretch. Our journey continued but with a different driver – me

Actually, I welcomed the opportunity to relieve my husband, feeling that I was contributing to the cause, i.e. that of spending Thanksgiving holidays with “crazy” Aunt Beth, as my children lovingly called her. The title “crazy” was mistakenly attributed to her in place of “fun-loving.” This sister-in-law of mine never thought twice about getting down on all fours and joining the kids on the floor for a lively game of “Spoons”, “Phase-Ten” or “Uno”. In her pre-marriage days she had been the one who had sought out the largest stuffed animals around as Christmas presents for all her nieces and nephews adding assorted bags of chocolates, mints, and candy. Any gift of clothing was usually complimentary, matching, or purple, her favorite color. It is understandable why Aunt Beth is my children’s favorite aunt!

As I continued the next few hours of my driving shift, the noise level within the van diminished, traffic had thinned out with the greater volume being tractor-trailers. My thoughts were better able to focus on the reason for our Thanksgiving adventure. Days earlier, during our morning devotions, the topic of holiday celebrations had been discussed, including ways to reach out to others. We had discussed how some people stuff stockings with small toys for poor children overseas, while others donate turkeys for needy individuals. Those who are financially able could purchase gift certificates for ones less fortunate, out of work, or experiencing hard times. Servicemen in foreign countries always appreciate letters from home and sending gifts to missionaries would remind them that they are not forgotten in the midst of the holiday bustle.

As each of these examples was brought up, I had started to notice a common thread. Giving monetarily or materially is thoughtful and kind, and will definitely have the Lord’s blessing when given in His name and at His prompting, but it is what I would classify as giving “outside of self.” This kind of giving DOES require a certain amount of time on our part, and even a degree of sacrifice. And God CAN use it to be a blessing to others.

But, there is another way of “reaching out,” one that goes deeper than money or things. It requires going “the extra mile” and involves not only the giving “outside of self,” but an additional giving “OF” self. Energy and effort are needed in order to reap the greater rewards of fulfillment and satisfaction in knowing that you did ALL that the Lord called you to do, to the best of your ability, with all the resources and grace available to you. I believe that this kind of giving, the giving of “self”, will reap greater eternal rewards.

And that is what my family and I were striving for! We were traveling ten hours, through five states, to be a blessing to our much-loved “Bethie!” Being a widow of four years and raising two young boys alone, is no easy task. We felt as a family, that rather than phoning or sending gifts, we could be a greater blessing to her by going, by being there physically, by eating Thanksgiving dinner with her, by talking face-to-face, showing her by our presence that we love her and want to be with her. We wanted to spend time with her. My husband and oldest son wanted to be one-on-one with her boys playing paintball and teaming up for “mock war games” in the woods behind their home. They desired to do any necessary projects or fix-it chores for Beth accomplishing whatever was needed to make her life easier. My younger boys were eagerly looking forward to challenging video games with their cousins and just hanging-out, developing closeness with the Christian side of the family. The girls were eager to go Christmas shopping with Aunt Beth, to be taught how to crochet, and to make the famous cinnamon-raisin “monkey bread” with their aunt.

Having made this journey last year, we already knew what to expect and were anxiously anticipating Beth’s plans. Last year, after celebrating Thanksgiving, we had helped her put up Christmas decorations. She had told us that with our help, it had been the first time since her husband died, that she actually felt in the “holiday mood.” We all felt tremendously blessed to have been used of the Lord for that purpose, and immediately promised to return the following year, thus bringing us to our present adventure.

Holidays are meant to be shared and to remind us of God’s blessings. Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims’ efforts to pave the way for freedom of religion so that future generations would be able to worship freely. Immediately following is the celebration of the birth of our Savior, the Holy One, our Redeemer and the Savior of the world.

There can be no greater joy in life that to spread the love of Jesus, the One Who died for us; no better place to start than in our immediate family, among those whom the Lord has brought directly into our lives and across our paths; and no more opportune time than now.

Each holiday season we should look around at those whom the Lord brings our way. We need to pray for sensitivity to other’s needs and for the grace to seize the opportunities that the Lord presents to us. Then, as we reach out to others in an unselfish spirit, the Lord will cause a “turn-around” and the blessing will rather be ours!