The way things are set up only one “item” can hold a space at any one time- okay there are a few exceptions. But in general God will place only one desire within an allocated amount of energy at one time. How often have you heard New Age/Spiritual leaders instruct their followers to release “what you don’t want in order to receive what you need?” How many times have I spoke these same words within the frame of Enlighten Christian Spirituality?
With the countdown to the designated celebration of Jesus birthday in full swing once again one of the big gifts of the moment is the Gift Card. How this came about I really don’t know . . . remember I spent some years in hiding as a hermit running from the very thing that I’m now doing. Yet, I do have my theory (okay rationalization . . .) since we currently live in a society which demands five to six figures in order to maintain the American standard of living this means more often than not both parents are outside of the house. I’m certain that a self-help author has already explained that stronger relationships with co-workers than with family have become the norm since we spend the bulk of our time at the office. So I ask, when was the last time someone at the office gave you a five/ten dollar gift card instead of some small trinket for their secret Santa gift? For some reason that’s not the norm . . . then why is it for loved ones?
Children have so much that by the time they’re able to shop for themselves mom & dad don’t know what to add to the endless list of belongings. But then again that’s my nice way of saying that most parents don’t know what to buy their children to help them along their spiritual path. So gift card it is.
The family unit is slaughtered and personally I don’t want to be around certain people during Holy Days let along spend time pretending that I know what they need in their lives other than an honest one-on-one conversation with God . . . what about you? So gift card it is.
But none of the aforementioned tackles the fact that without knowing someone you can not possibly begin to know what to buy them of true spiritual significance. We have placed so much of ourselves outside of the home and/or into the fight that when it comes time to follow Christmas custom we’re lost and in walk the little plastic cards. Gift cards allow us to display our love with the one thing that we seem to not be able to get enough of- easy money. For adults, okay, I can bite my tongue with the knowledge that they can at least consider purchasing something that will feed their soul but this can not be the case with children. Children need guidance that’s why we’re their parents. For one to settle on the fact that a gift card is easy and still get the job done . . . remember the easy route is more often than not the wrong route.
How man generations will pass before the norm for the eldest adults is to reminiscence of Christmas past bringing forth the image of unwrapping gift cards that were spent the next day? But more importantly how many will it take before it’s looked upon as sad?
Archangel Sariel, although it is winter we could use your energy this season.
