For the first time in our marriage, I’m actually going to have to stick to the gifting budget we set for each other. We have always set a modest budget (around $100) for Christmas gifts for each other, but I have always thrown that out the window. My wife did a good job of sticking to the budget (bless her heart) but I just love to spoil her.
But this year I promised to be good. Since we’ve started meticulously tracking our expenses, it was obvious that I couldn’t go overboard as I have in years past. It kind of broke my heart, really… I’m the kind of guy who delights in giving and watching the joy my gifts bring to others. It hurts when I can’t give as I would like to.
I sat down with my wife last week and apologized to her, but she reassured me and reminded me why what I’m doing is a good thing: We’re keeping our future at the front of our minds now instead of our present. We’re sacrificing now so that we can have plenty later and so I can return to own special brand of giving.
She did make one concession, though. Even with times being a bit rough, we will still give extra to our church’s special Christmas offering that goes to fund some very important local and international missions. Knowing that my gift will help some needy families in our church, send children to school in the Philippines, and give scholarships to church members seeking education in preparation for full-time ministry makes the added sacrifice worth all the more.
