• Dec. 11, 2007
Every Good and Perfect Gift...
We as women tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves this time of year, don't we? We feel pressure to decorate our homes in a way that looks like they're from the pages of a magazine; we agonize about taking the perfect family photo for our Christmas cards; we stress about all the homemade delicacies we should (?) be producing in our kitchens; we guilt ourselves about the crafts we should be doing with our kids. And if that were not enough, we often find ourselves feeling the strain of gift-buying, as well. In a last-ditch effort to check names off our list, we run to the mall and buy the first thing we see. Or we wander aimlessly up and down the aisles of the store, contemplating and mulling our options over in our minds. Never reaching a decision, we return home, only to return to the store the next day for another series of aimless wanderings.
One of my favorite topics is gift-giving. It's not because I've mastered it or don't struggle with ideas and creativity. It's because God is impressing some of the lessons of gift-giving deep in my heart. While I have a long ways to go, God is teaching me what it means to give selflessly and from my heart. I want my gift-giving to reflect His love. I want the receivers of my gifts to feel like I truly know them. I want them to know that I've studied their interests, their passions, their leanings, and their hearts.
I love giving theme gifts, as it gives me a sense of direction. Theme gifts enable us to narrow our search...and in a sense, stop the madness!
I've discovered that God often uses Scripture to inspire me with gift ideas. When reading various passages, He's laid different ideas on my heart and how they correspond to each verse. For example, one day I was reading Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~ "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." As I read these words, a theme-gift began forming in my mind. I purchased a scrapbook calendar at Wal-Mart...the kind where all you have to do is insert the photos. And then I compiled small token gifts which represented each season.
Another verse that gave me an "aha!" moment was Romans 10:15 ~ "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" For the past few years, we've given each of our boys' Sunday School teachers a pair of dress socks with a note bearing this verse attached. In my heart, I believe this gift was more then just a pair of socks...it affirmed them, as well. It gave these men a reminder that their teaching of our children is important. Our youngest son always grins from ear to ear when, even now...a year later, his former Sunday School teacher will stop him and tell him, "I'm wearing my best socks today!" Obviously, this Bible verse could be attached to a homemade pedicure basket...a pair of slippers...let your creativity loose!
I also like to use Psalm 4:8 as the basis for a theme basket. It says "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." This verse gives me such a strong image of safety, security, and God's unfailing love. Last year I put together a couple of "G'night" baskets for the little girls in our lives. I included a snuggly pair of new "footie" jammies, a bedtime story, a stuffed animal, a cellophane bag of Oreos tied with a ribbon, and a 1/2 pint of chocolate milk. You could, obviously, customize this gift for an adult by changing the contents a bit.
I'll share additional gift-giving ideas in the days to come. I hope and pray that some of these ideas might spark your own creativity and give you unique ways to celebrate your loved ones.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17
Comments
• Dec. 11, 2007
Smiling is my favorite
Posted by Jon
You make my smile. I love your gifts! You know when I need time to myself, an encouraging word, or a favorite sandwich. When I walk through the door and Italian Beef au jus is on the table, or you have a special evening planned--you're my gift.
I've learned a lot about God from you, Nik. I love you!
• Dec. 11, 2007
hi!
Posted by byourlove1
I can't tell you how much I love reading your blog, it lifts me up and inspires me. I have left you something at my blog, come and check it out! I truly believe you blog with a purpose!
Angela
