“The gift is to the giver, and it comes back most to him-it cannot fail” Walt Whitman
Christmas is the season of giving. I love giving gifts at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas time for family and friends. When I purchase a gift for someone, I don’t do it haphazardly. I think about the present I am buying for the individual. What does a person like? Will it bring happiness or joy to them? Is it something I would purchase for myself? I want to give a gift that is meaningful and will be appreciated by the receiver.Well, when we give someone something of value, whether it be a physical gift or a compliment, we expect that it will be received graciously and ever so gratefully. Have you ever experienced disappointment when you gave someone what you felt was a wonderful gift, and the person did not appear grateful or maybe even refused to accept it because they didn’t feel worthy? If so, how did that make you feel?
Pure joy and satisfaction come about when we give a gift no matter the size that makes a difference in someone’s life, and best of all, you look for nothing in return. That’s when the gift is truly a gift to the giver. Now let me move to the essence of this post. As I stated already, I love giving gifts and will give to someone else most times before I think of acquiring something for myself. I love bringing smiles to other people, but what about me? Don’t I deserve to have beautiful things in my life? Don’t you deserve to have the best gifts? Yes, we do. As children of God, we always deserve the best. So, why do we sometimes settle for less? I’ll let you answer that question.
As I began to think about relationships in terms of past or present heartache, disappointment, or pain, I began to ponder why not give ourselves a special life-changing gift this season. If you could give yourself a gift that would change your life going forward because we can’t change the past, what would it be, what would it look like in your life? For example, would it be a gift of “forgiving yourself or someone else” so you could move forward in life? Would it be the gift of “stop looking back in the rear view mirror of your life” so you can stop lamenting over past mistakes? Would it be the gift of “no more settling for less than what you deserve in a relationship” to not be alone? The list can go on and on. What would your relationship gift to yourself be? And would you graciously accept it as you would want someone to receive a gift from you?
I would love for you to share with the readers and me a relationship gift you would give to yourself. If you want to do it privately, send a message through my contact page, which other readers don’t have access to, and then I will share in another post anonymously with your permission. Or, if you desire to share in the comment section of this post, that will be good. The main point is to give yourself a gift during this season of joy and giving. You deserve to have a gift that you will not only appreciate but will remember because of the changes that may result in your life. Merry Christmas, and don’t forget the reason for the season is the gift that keeps on giving- Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17. I’ll be back next week with a new post, “Closing the Chapter!”
Be encouraged, and God bless!
Sister Jackie
So true…We all want people to feel good and accepting, like we feel about whatever we give them, whether it be our time, material gifts, our love and kindness, even our words of expression. I’ve learned if someone does not receive my gift(s) in the spirit that I gave them,(because I only give out of love and care), then I try to guard my heart. Because it was “I” that obligated myself to give it. Truth is, is that everything does not move everybody in the same way. This insight sure has saved me a lot of pain and sorrow in the area of giving and receiving – especially around special gift-giving occasions…And like you said, – giving expecting “nothing” in return is so freeing from deep emotional hurt. I don’t measure anyone by the “gift” that they may give, or, even if they not give at all, for gifts are external. But, I always give everyone a break, because I don’t ever look for anything, so I never hold it against anyone. But I am “ALWAYS” Thankful for being thought of, even if it’s not something i think is just what I wanted or needed. And that is because “my” parents taught me to always just say “Thank You”, and go on. No matter whether we think they should give or not, no-one is obligated to give others a gift(unless they made a promise and obligated themselves to do so). My parents told me that “we” set our own selves up for a let-down in our expectations of others – it took me many, many, many years, sorrows and hurt to get it, – but Now, “by George, I think I’ve got it”, LOL!!!. No matter who or what, whether I’m given to, or not, I don’t let it make me lose my “JOY”…and it makes me feel so much better about it all. Not saying that I don’t understand the hurt of it all, but saying that, for “me”, I’m over it !!! Sorry, to be so long winded, but you know I have “the gift of gab”, LOL!!!
My Gift to self – be kind to self, and give myself a smile sometimes too!!!, LOL.
You are truly a wonderful, sincere, thoughtful gift-giver – I believe that you are appreciated for your giving more than you may even think or believe.
Love You MUCH, and MERRY CHRISTMAS Sis!
Thank you so much for those thought-provoking comments and kind words. The gift of kindness to one’s self is a great gift. We should never wait for others to give something to us that we can assuredly give to ourselves! May you have the merriest Christmas and a new year of blessings beyond measure, my sister! God bless you!