We all like to receive and give gifts, right? Why do we give gifts? To show appreciation, love, friendship. There’s nothing like giving a gift and watching them open it and the happy smiles and hugs that come after! Most especially for the children in our lives—nothing better than watching their faces light up.
Well, we’re going to talk about a different kind of gift—one that doesn’t come in a pretty wrapped package. And this is the gift that keeps giving, year-round. What is it? It’s YOU! Your unique gifts, your God given talents and abilities, your own style and personality. No one can do it like you do!
What type of gifts?
What type of gifts are we talking about? Well, the Bible tells us there are spiritual gifts. There are seventeen spiritual gifts listed, which include administration, discernment, faith, giving, healing, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, mercy, serving, wisdom, and teaching. My favorite is wisdom and I need a good dose of that daily! So, what jumps out at you from this list? You are the owner of a company, and you want to provide good leadership. You are in the healthcare arena and provide healing and mercy. My husband, Joe, was big on hospitality—loved to have friends and family over and he always went overboard on food, lol!
So, how are you using your gifts daily? Are you creative, and make homemade objects that are unique, or bake and share wonderful goodies at celebrations and other times to just bless someone? Do you cook a homemade meal for someone recovering from an illness? We just had to bring Thanksgiving meal to someone recovering from Covid.
There have been lots of opportunities in that realm lately! You have a skill or a trade. I am always looking for folks who have skills and abilities I lack, or just because I don’t have time to do it myself. My husband was also great at technology, so I had my own on site I/T department. Boy, do I miss that!
Some people are good at administration—organized and meticulous. I must confess, again, not always my strong point, so I make sure to surround myself with folks who excel at that and love to do it. Which makes me recall accounting and bookkeeping- yuck! One of the biggest mistakes we made as small business owners was doing our own accounting. Not good…
A time for giving
This is also a time for giving to your favorite charities—and it’s not limited to monetary gifts. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and these charities and churches are always looking for help. What a wonderful way to give back, to give of yourself, your time, and your talents!
And then, there are teachers. It’s not just the classroom, although we so appreciate those who are called to instruct our children from kindergarten up through college and beyond. You may have had many teachers in your life—from business, to managing life, to counseling, mentors and more. If you are gifted in teaching, how do you bring that into your daily life, other than in the classroom or boardroom? Maybe you are an influencer and can build up people with your gifts? You can also learn just from friends and other connections. There’s always more, so never stop learning!
Discernment is a good gift to have nowadays, when we are bombarded with media and news reports. Do you believe everything you hear or see? Discernment means not jumping to conclusions but taking time to see both sides of an issue and discern what the truth is. This has become increasingly difficult, but we really need more discernment daily to keep our minds free of debris. One of my clients, when he heard something, he discerned as “garbage,” would put his hands on his head and say “Control, Alt, Delete.” We all need to do more of that!
A gift of faith
Another gift is that of faith. Faith doesn’t have to be in a spiritual sense, although that is especially important for many people. You place faith in yourself and your abilities, also known as confidence. You place faith in your marriage partner—hopefully, that is well placed faith! Everyone has faith in something or someone; we are created that way. How do you practice faith daily?
I said I like wisdom especially. When I am struggling with an issue, or a person, it’s wise to separate your emotions from the issue and wait until you sort it out—that is good wise advice. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:6-7, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” King Solomon was given options of what he wanted from the Lord, so he asked for wisdom. With that came many blessings. I am all for that!
So, in this gift giving season, what can you do to give back? How can you use those talents and gifts that are uniquely you to bless others? What a difference this would make in our strife filled world if everyone were looking for ways to help others and use the potential of their gifts! And that, my Friend, is what this season is all about!
Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2022!
0 Comments
Leave a comment