Now, who does not like gifts? Whether you are giving them or receiving them, there is just something about them. I am totally a gifts girl. I love all that goes into buying and giving gifts to others. The thought it takes to come up with the perfect gift. Then the time it takes to find exactly what you want and if you find it on sale that makes it even better.
It was not until I had my daughters that I really saw how special is it to give gifts. The anticipation, excitement, and gratitude that our kids express when they receive gifts, both big and small is like nothing else. There is not one Christmas or birthday for my girls that goes by that I do not try to take all the pictures I can to capture those magical moments for years to come.
Whether the gifts can be actual presents like toys and jewelry or giving someone an experience. The older my girls and I get, those have become my favorite kinds to give and receive. About a year ago, my husband and I surprised our girls with a Disney cruise for Christmas.
You would have thought they won the lottery how excited they were. If I am honest, it was like that for both them and me. I got to check a bucket list item off my list and they got memories to last a lifetime.
Yet as wonderful as it is to give and receive actual gifts or experiences, there are gifts that we have that are much more meaningful and important. Those are the gifts and talents God has given us all.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God Has given you the ability to…
Romans 12:6a (NLT)
These make use uniquely different. They help us to play a part in this world and in the lives of others that is uniquely ours.
For example, one of my gifts is administration, including organization and planning. I love working behind the scenes and helping things come together. So in my house, at my church and even with my friends, I am a go-to in this area.
My husband cannot find something; he’ll ask me first because more than likely I put it away. (Where it should have been in the first place, but that’s another post for another day ) Or my church needs some to help organize and manage registration for our women’s conference; I’m your girl. Or my friends need help organizing their finances or kids’ playroom; I’m your girl.
These are more practical, but still things that I use to help and bless others. I know you have gifts just like this. There are so many more gifts that we all have that we need to be using more.
For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
Romans 11:29 (NLT)
God has blessed us with these gifts for a reason and wants us to use them. Especially with the holiday season right around the corner, there are so many opportunities and areas for us to use them. Both within our own homes and outside. So we are going to take some time to together to do just that.
We are going to explore the gifts and talents we all have and should be using to make our lives, our parenting, our marriages, and our worlds that much better. Are you with me?
I’d love to know about one or more gifts you have that you want to use more in the comments!
You’re so right. These gifts are much more important. It’s always good to look at what gifts God has given us and how we’re using them.
Yes, Crystal. We often need to step back and look at ourselves to see all God is doing in a through us. Then take action to use those gifts to bless others.
My gift is that of giving love. I have not met a person whom I have hated. The Bible teaches to love your neighbor as yourself. Practicing this concept has imparted me the uncanny ability to love others.
Such a wonderful post. I believe I’ve been given the gift to encourage others. I pray for the Lord to provide opportunities for me to be a blessing throughout the week!
I never thought of gifts like this! What a great thought. Thanks for sharing!
We all need to remind ourselves of this!
I love this! It’s so important to focus on the meaningful gifts! Thanks for sharing
Great post! It’s so true, we’re each given so many gifts and yet sometimes we don’t appreciate them, or even recognize them! There are a few gifts that I haven’t shown enough appreciation for over the years, I need to work on that.
What an inspiring post and it’s so true that we each have gifts. This made me smile.
I’m so glad that this was able to speak to you, Courtney.
For so long I wondered what my gifts were, and then it hit me. If I didn’t start just doing stuff, I would never find out. So I started volunteering in different ministries and that was it, my gift was found. I believe God has given all of us a gift to use to love on His people and share His light. This is a beautiful reminder that we’re all blessed with our own talents and we should search them out.
Yes and amen, Jen. Taking those first steps to just serve and do helps us all discover and grow our gifts.
This is such a great perspective. It’s important to think about your gifts and how to use them.
It definitely feels great to give gifts, especially when it’s to your children. Love seeing their excitement and making them feel special!
-Jennifer
This is a great reminder that were all made with different gifts and different ways we can contribute to the family unit. Thanks for sharing
Yes, Karin. We all have gifts that we can use to bless others in our family with.
This is so wonderful. We all should be contributing more at this time of year and it is so special when we do! I love these reminders.
We all need little reminders like this from time to time, Ronni.
This is such a great reminder to use the gifts we have. I have the gift of teaching and The Lord keeps telling me to teach so I am working on doing just that.
You’re right, children show the true magic of gift giving! Great reminder! 🙂
I love this!! I think one of my gifts is research. This helps in planning fun vacations and activities but then also helps me at work as well.
What a great take on gifts! Administration is also one of my gifts. I am always the one that plans holidays, events, etc, because it just comes naturally to me. One year I became a little frustrated with it, but then when I thought about it I realized something. I love to do the planning, and can easily do it in a short period of time with good results. For others, it would take a long time and be an arduous task. I love it even more now.
What a great way to think about gift giving this holiday season. being able to give a part of myself that takes my time and thought is so much more involved than spending $10 on something.
One of my spiritual gifts is the gift of hospitality. Not just in having people over, but in being about to make people feel comfortable and at ease. I didn’t discover it until college when my dorm room became the go-to safe haven for friends who were bored, lonely or just having a rough day (to the point that sometimes friends would show up with a new person I had never met and just say “she was having a rough day, so I told her she needed to come here and have you make her a cup of tea”).
Yes, I’m with you…because I totally agree with you.
Sich a lovely family x
We have all been given gifts and we continue to develop gifts as we age. Can be something we consider small like being a good listener or always giving a hug and a smile.
They say making memories by sharing experiences is one of the best gifts you can give to others. I bet your family is going to reflect on great times like this for years to come.
what a beautiful perspective on the gifts we have! I would say mine is patience for others 🙂 I try to show that as much as I can! And you have such a beautiful family! I love your family photo on the Disney crusie!
Yes! We’ve all been given unique gifts that we can use to bless others. Our church did a rest a few years ago for everyone to find out where their ministry is. It was pretty cool because there were things I never would have thought of.
Yes, I love this, another thing to be mindful of is that our gift giving should be every day! We should always challenge ourselves to be a blessing to someone each day! Being thoughtful and kind!
Oh, my gosh! I love that picture of you all! I bet you get asked all the time if your daughters are triplets.
You are so right! All of us have a talent/gift/skill that can help others and it feels so good knowing that you have made someone else’s day a little easier.
I know my gift is being positive and motivating others – I love being a cheerleader and seeing people achieve.
I am gifted in my ability to deal with people of all backgrounds. It helps me to reach students and adults that sometimes would not be reached otherwise…Organizing details, on the other hand, not my gift. But I certainly know how to work with people to help me stay as organized as possible which is a plus 😂
I love this take on gifts as we head into the gift giving season! It’s so true, and incredibly important, to share the gifts we have been given. Both for the benefit of others and for ourselves.
Yes ma’am, Becca. We have so much to give beyond material gifts. 💕
The thought is what counts is a saying because it is important to put in some quality thought into what you are gifting someone for an occasion. A wonderful reminder.
Putting thought into what we give and sharing our gifts is so important, Aditi.