“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The purpose of life is to love.

The purpose of money is to supply.

I heard in LifeChurch a few weeks ago that "It's not the size of the gift, its the size of the stretch." It wouldn't have meant much to me years back, but as I age I'm forced to look within myself to find what I can offer to others.

Some have more money than others. They can easily provide expensive gifts; Rolex watches, shoes, gift cards, you name it.

These things age along with time- shoes fall apart, gift cards are spent, watches are broken.

You always think of money; what would happen if you had more money, what you'd buy, who you'd buy it for.

What can you do when you aren't able to splurge this holiday season?

Gift your time, gift your love, gift your used toys, shoes, clothes, because there is someone whose heart would fill from something as small as the sight of a holiday card from you.

This holiday season, brace yourself to allow your soul to touch the hearts of others. Don't stress over needing to save thousands to give others gifts if you don't have the means to do so, and find ways to give something more valuable: your time, your love, your kindness.

Everyday there are people waiting in line for a hot meal, there are people sleeping on the ground, and there are even people who are alone who have money. By doing a good deed, by offering your time and humbling yourself to help someone else, or to influence someone in the dearest way, you make a difference.

Say a prayer for a soldier and their family, hug your brother, your sister, or show your appreciation for the blessings that can be overlooked by frustrations.

Change the world, change a life.

Volunteer at the soup kitchen, make cards for the hospital, donate your old clothes, buy a burger for someone homeless; do something that gives back to you, too. There is nothing better than the gift of love.

The purpose of life is to have purpose. Give what you can.

After all, it's not the size of the gift, it's the size of the stretch. Do more, and you'll receive more.

'Do everything in love '. 1 Corinthians 16:14