On a recent hike I found a birch limb in the woods. I had this idea to use it as a part of a centerpiece for our dining room table. I asked Stephen if he would build me a box out of extra wood we had around and turn the birch limb into candle holders for me.
I have a thousand ideas a day, and Stephen graciously listens to many of them, patiently waiting for me to lay many of them down. Yet this idea was one he could see I was excited about.
After an errand the other day I came home to the empty box on my dining room table and Stephen asking me how he wanted the birch tree cut
This is one of the reasons I love my husband so much; he listens to the things that may not matter to him but he knows they matter to me. And he could go out and buy me the box but the fact that he and Gavin made this for me - even while football was on - means so much to me.
I share this with you today because in these times of giving, sometimes a gift of love doesn’t require spending money. Sometimes it may cost us our time and energy. Yet whatever we give the most important thing is that it is from our heart to theirs.
As we enter this holiday season, I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.
As we go to give gifts, whether they are homemade or purchased, may it be a gift from our heart to theirs. What I mean by that is that when we think of the person we are giving to, may what we give not be about us, but about the joy we know the gift will bring to them. May the gift speak to their hearts that we hear them when the speak. Even though what they like may not matter to us, like this box to Stephen, they know we are giving it because we love them and know how much it matters to them.
With love and hope,
Shawn
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like a shifting shadow.” - James 1:17