Gifting Others with Love

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. – Proverbs 17:8

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For my birthday last week, my friends and family sent me many cards and several beautiful gifts. My parents sent me the greatest gift of all – a generous Amazon gift card! I had so much fun choosing pretty and practical things to use in my home.

Of course, I’m just teasing about that “greatest gift all” part. What truly meant the most to me was the consideration and love that went into many of my gifts.

For example, my dear friend Natalie, who is a missionary in Tanzania, had to send my birthday card several months in advance to ensure that it would arrive by my birthday.

 

My best childhood friend posted a collection of pictures from our school days on Facebook with a lovely note.

My brother considered my interest in all things plant-related and sent me a set of white pots from my Amazon wish list. He even took the time to include a sweet and funny note on the enclosed gift slip. (Who does that?)

My youngest son, ten-year-old Rowan, put together a special breakfast for me – all by himself, before I woke up. He cooked his delicious specialty: a three-egg cheddar cheese omelet with toast, along with yogurt and fruit. That tray of food was a thing of beauty!

 

Later that day, my two oldest children, Aidan and Shae, collaborated on a special lunch, despite the fact that my daughter was recovering from the flu. She made a special effort to cook some of our favorite healthy recipes, and my oldest son washed several loads of dishes. They also got together to purchase quite a fancy insulated coffee mug for me.

And, my husband bought me the Rolls-Royce of hand pruners for working in my perennial beds: Felco F-2 classic manual hand pruners. I never thought I would have such a high-quality gardening tool, and I can’t wait to put them to good use. (And I am definitely NOT going to lose them under the mulch pile, as may have happened in the past with other tools.)

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All these gifts made me feel abundantly loved, and they reminded me of the importance of passing that love along – not just on birthdays, but every day.

 

Too often, I can become lost in my own “must-do’s” and forget to take time to do and say things that would brighten another’s day –  things like sending get-well cards, thanking my children for all they do right, putting together a lavish lunch in the middle of the week for my family, making pleasant conversation with a cashier, texting my husband with a message of love instead of a honey-do list, and praying for missionaries’ many specific needs.

And I can’t leave the Lord out of this list. He so desires fellowship with us, but after my devotional time is over for the day, I often forget to keep the lines of communication open with him – though he is ever thinking of me.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. – Psalm 139:17, 18

This spring, I plan to set aside time to make others feel loved, and in so doing, glorify God and draw others to him.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. – John 13:35

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What makes you feel loved? What do you do to make others feel loved? I welcome your suggestions.