What kind of gift are you?

 

Pretty soon after Christmas, or perhaps after a birthday party or other function when we gather to celebrate, like a wedding or an engagement party, we start tidying up the gift wrappers after all the packages have been opened and all that's left around is the wrapping paper they came in.

As I was collecting all the wrappings, and the different presents that were given and received, a thought occurred to me. In a funny sort of way, we are all a gift to each other.

Think about it for a moment. We are all a gift to each other.

Whoever we are, the chances are that there is more than one person who needs us, relies on us, in their life. It could be a spouse, offspring, parents or siblings, friends, colleagues at work, acquaintances in church, Bible class, or just anyone. The chances are there is someone around that needs you, and relies on you. And also, the chances are that you need and rely on someone else.

You probably never thought about it this way. You took it for granted. But you are a gift to someone else. Yes, you.

Sometimes, even without knowing it, you could be the answer to someone's prayer. You could be somewhere and someone needs a helping hand, a cheery smile even, and you're there providing that much needed gift of your presence.

When someone sadly passes away, we mourn and grieve their absence. This is because their presence had a positive effect on our lives.

And that is how you will be remembered; as a gift and a positive presence to others. In so many ways. 

Just think about the many ways and the many people you have influenced by just being you. Even by just writing a Blog, or a comment on social media. You may think nothing of it at the time. It may even become a tedious job keeping up a Blog, or commenting on other people's posts, or frequenting other social media presence. But your very presence there could be a boost and a ray of sunshine to someone else. And you don't even know it.

In so many ways we are all a gift to each other. Especially you.

Thank you.

The Gift of Thyme

There are these two guys we know called Ivor Mosquito and Ivan Itch who are always buzzing around our house. Sometimes they are welcome, especially just before Christmas when my wife and I were in the garden and Ivor came to deliver our presents; and sometimes they're unwelcome when it is at an inappropriate time when my wife and I are in the bedroom.

I'll never learn how to make the bed and how to fold the sheets neatly in the corners as they do in hotels.

In them times they also used to leave a piece of chocolate on the pillow in hotels. I never knew why. It often melted in the night ... the number of times I had to explain to the maids who came to clean the room that it was chocolate on the pillow cases and the sheets!

Anyway, where was I before you interrupted me?

Oh yes ... Ivor Mosquito came and he gave me my present. It was a box of different herbs to plant in the garden. You know, mint, basil, rosemary, oregano; that sort of thing. I went quickly in my corner of the garden and planted them all. I always plant my herbs in alphabetical order. Ivor was amazed. He said, "where do you find the time?" I replied, "it's there next to the parsley, rosemary and sage ..."

Time is a precious commodity, you know. We often don't have time to spare for the more important things in life. Like sparing a moment or two for someone else. Smiling at a stranger perhaps. Saying "hi" to the neighbour as we go in or out of our house.

I know people who spend a lot of time helping others. Visiting the sick in hospital. Working voluntarily in church. Buying and preparing soup and sandwiches and going to feed the homeless late at night in town. They even take items of clothing like hats, gloves and other garments to help the poor keep out the cold. They also volunteer to visit old folks at home and drive them to doctor's and hospital appointments. I respect people who spend their time like that.

There are so many ways we can spend our time helping others.

Do you know that even spending time writing your Blog is helping others who visit you and are cheered by what you write? They also get an extra cheer when you visit them and leave a comment on their posts. Whatever you write ... about herbs perhaps, or plants, or cars or pets, or about Jesus too; you can rest assured someone will appreciate the time it took you to write it.

Now back to my herbs ... lettuce pray!

 

Prayer Gift

Prayer is the greatest gift we can give one another.

It shows a generosity of spirit, love and caring for each other - just as Our Lord asked us.

Should any of you need prayers, or wish to offer a prayer for me, or seek prayers for someone else or a particular cause, you can always join us in prayer by clicking HERE

Or by visiting the link "Donate a Prayer" at the top of this page.