Yesterday I walked into a store to get a wedding gift and came out with a Christmas gift.
EEEEK!
Thanksgiving turkeys have not been carved and lights and trees are everywhere. I don’t typically buy too many gifts early. In fact if I do it is that one extravagant thing my daughter picks up (a-hem, boots) and buys in November and I promise to wrap the empty box and remind her the gift already given!
So yesterday when I purchased this Christmas gift it was a tad out of character for me. But I have a good friend whose “love language” is gifts. Now you may say, “Whose isn’t”? And I would answer, “My husband’s is not”!
But any-who….
I see this perfect gift for my girlfriend whose love language is pretty packages and it’s on sale…so, I buy! (She would say Boo-yah!)
Friends. I like to speak their language. (Even when it’s funny sounds!)
We are currently studying The Friends of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury and we are learning Jesus’ love language. It’s filled with gifts of compassion, comfort, loyalty, forgiveness, restoration and love.
Jesus is a gift of compassion, comfort, loyalty, forgiveness, restoration and love.
There is a friend who stays closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Friendship is a gift in itself. When we are friends that share the gifts of Jesus with others we are gifts walking, talking, hugging, loving! We are living life like Christ. How beautiful! Even my friend who loves packages will attest that the gifts of Jesus are far more precious and when demonstrated toward her by a friend ~ priceless!
I’ll be purchasing gifts to give my friends and family for Christmas. I’m sure you will too. So if we are lets share gifts that share Christ. Every Friday from now until Christmas we will share one gift that can be given freely without a purchase and one that you can purchase. Each will be presented in hopes that others will see and feel that love of Christ!
Allow me to start today! It is Friday!
Compassion: A gift that is free but often takes thought, time and consideration. Seeing a need and wanting to meet the need for another. A desire to alleviate another’s need. Let the gift of compassion flow freely to your friends and strangers this season.
Simple Compassionate Ideas
- A single mom needing childcare so she can run errands; offer an hour of you time freely.
- A elderly widow needing help wrapping gifts: offer an hour of your time freely.
- A shelter needing help serving meals; offer an hour of your time freely.
- A single friend dealing with loneliness; offer to spend an hour in bible study or just sharing coffee.
There are countless ways to share compassion with others.
Our pick for a purchased gift that shares Christ this week:
ABC Scripture Cards by Light ‘Em Up Gifts (click photo to learn more)
Having “eyed” them for sometime now I am so excited to own a set and plan to share with my friends. Here is how the designer describes them: “ABC Scripture Cards are a set of 26 NIV verses designed for the mom’s style and the child’s heart. I created these in an effort to bring scripture memory to life in the home. They teach and decorate at the same time! From two-year-olds to teens, kids of all ages have memorized these short and sweet verses.” I’m in love! My eye and my heart agree that these are great for using to bring God’s word into our homes and hearts. And guess what! We are giving away a set! Leave a comment on how you would use these cards and you will be entered into a random drawing for a set to be given away next Friday (Nov. 13th)! The only catch is that you must reside in the US and subscribe to follow the blog so that we know we can contact you.
It’s a gift to share God’s love here every week! We pray you feel us hugging you in prayer.
Blessings~ Jodie
Whoop whoop! Christmas gifts and silly sounds! Wink wink! Love ya!
oh no, she’s on to me !
I would frame them and use them as random acts of kindness gifts <3
Angel, They are beautiful in frames! What a wonderful idea. That’s 26 beautiful acts of kindness 🙂
Never heard of ABC Scripture cards that you can buy. What a wonderful idea! I would share them with my family and friends. The first thing that came to mind is how I learned Bible verses as a child. I would carry one to each of my grandchildren on a weekly basis so they could learn scripture. No better way to show love is through the Word! I would carry them to several people that I know would love and appreciate them.
Celeste, Your ideas are precious. I wish I had instilled this practice earlier with my children but I am a good example that it is never to late to start learning the scriptures 🙂
Love this and the designs. I would use this as gift tags for my Christmas gifts!!! So I can share verses with other people. Big name tags but who cares, the bigger the better seen 😉
Kendall, That is a beautiful idea! I may have to purchase an extra set just for that! I am all about the packaging!
I love these cards. I would use them to give to my Mary Kay Consultants to encourage them with their businesses!
Leslie, Always the MK consultant! Your ladies would be blessed! They already are to have you looking after them…:)
Chelsea, I can see you two now! That would be such a sweet time. The neat thing is that if you are like me you will enjoy them as much as Silas and you will love seeing them in your home. They are just that beautiful. AND I get no kickbacks for saying this! HAHA. just one little girl here sharing things that are good !
I would use them as decorations and learning tool to teach my child and even my family and friends of the word of God! They are so beautiful in looks and in meaning!! Love them!
That’s why I love them so too Laura! Beautiful in looks and meaning!
I love these scripture cards….I would treat them like a “hot potato”…can’t hold, must pass on to family, friends, shut-ins and sisters in Christ…
What a beautiful idea Ann!
These are awesome! I would use some of them for my family and give them as gifts for my family and friends. The letters could stand for their names or a special place, time or memory we share. And then there would be a special verse to go along with the special person and memory!
I love that idea! Connecting the letters to special people and memories! Yippee!
These are beautiful!! I would use these to give when visiting the nursing home; they give a bit of color, don’t take up much room, and remind the resident of God’s love!
What an awesome idea Cindy!
These are beautiful! I would give these when visiting the nursing homes; they’re colorful and remind the resident of God’s love and care for them.
This is such a great idea….I would love these for my kids to try to get more involved with them learning verses (with Awana, etc) together.
A priceless gift to your children 🙂
What better way to share scripture with my children, decorate their rooms and bathroom or maybe the hallway. Hmm and etch Gods word in their hearts and minds! I love these… simple yet so powerful! Of course sharing them outside of my home would be awesome too… i love the gift tag idea.. so many awesome ideas!
Yes! So many good ideas!
I would use them to memorize scripture, encourage my husband and others by placing them around my home, at work, etc.
You found it Meagan! Perhaps the first to mention encouraging a spouse! I love that idea!
Give them to my Patients that need encouragement. Many of the Ladies I take care of touch my heart, and I feel truly blessed when I feel that I have helped someone smile, believe, or made a new friend in Christ!
Give them out to my Patients that need encouragement, or an act of kindness. So many of the Ladies I take care of touch my heart. I am truly blessed when I feel I have made someone smile, connected through God’s word, to feel cared about & appreciated. Sometimes Our patients only social outing are to us, for health care. I love making a difference!
So beautiful Junie! I know you lighten up so many days for your patients! Love your giving and compassionate spirit!
I would display them at work on my desk. Could change them out weekly. Would be encouraging for me and others.
Love to share cards with others. Many people have gotten away from sending cards, but I believe it makes a huge impact on someone just to know someone thought of them and took a small portion of their time to let them know. And, what better way than sharing Gods promises!
I would use these in my office ..frame a few and pass them around ..As well as I am in a few groups likeSecret Sister and Scard mediation ..We meet 2and 4 Sunday of each month ..I would pass them out there to…
love both those ideas! Workplace inspiration!