~Of what can I give.~
This and some other times of the
year we often ask of ourselves what we can give to others. We try many times to
spend a lot to give gifts that have a large amount of value either to the world
standard or that the receiver will value our gift. Most of the time we overlook
the best of gifts that are so simple but some of the hardest to give. Simply
put the most valuable gifts are the ones without a monetary value that can be
placed upon them. I will list a few and outline what I see as the important
part of them.
Gift of- Forgiveness.
One of the hardest to pull off on
every level. One of the best ways to fix lives and families. Relationships with
others can be some of the most important things we have. If there are things awry
with people find a way to either, make things right or take steps to change the
course of the conflict. This and many gifts like it cannot in no wise be valued
as its value is of the heart. We often hope that conflicts, friction, and ill
feelings go away on their own. “And be ye
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven you”. Ephesians 4:32 “We made
a list of all the persons we may have harmed and where possible without causing
more harm to make amends”- step 8 of 12.
Gift of- Gratitude.
Not every situation we have in life
is perfect and the best but we can find some part of it to be grateful for. So,
we may not have the finest car, the biggest house, the perfect head of hair, or
even the latest and greatest phone but we probably have at least three persons
that love us. If you’re like any one you have struggles and things that trip us
up with life. Yet what we have is often things that some in the world are
praying for in one way or another. Thank others that serve us but most
especially thank God for where we are and the good in our lives. “And let the peace of God rule in
your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be
ye thankful”. -Colossians 3:15
Gift of- Repentance.
We all have things that hold us
back for the best of life. Sometimes we hold on to things to the point of not
just holding us back but our family and friends as well. Sometimes we are
convinced that it is only our problem but fail to see the small print that
effects those people in our live that we may love and respect. If there is
something that maybe we have done or been a part of removing it from our backs
can set us free to enjoy a closer bond with those around us. I think of it as a
gift because of that freedom of mind and soul. “But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with
real intent, they were forgiven”. - Moroni 6:8
Gift of- Acceptance.
Be accepting of those around us. We
may not always agree with the way someone lives, feels, or believes but we can
be accepting of them just the same. We can be nice about it also. We are
however we look at it Children of a loving God that would very much be happy if
we could find the things we have in common and use that common ground to be
empathetic to others. Even when others have done things that may not be right
with laws of the land or God we can still accept them as a daughter or son of God.
”
I think we should all be tolerant of each other and embrace each other’s'
strengths and differences and uniqueness and beauty”. -Martina McBride
Gift of- Kindness
We can never tell what is happening
with other people that we meet or associate with each day. Some are struggling
with things in their life, some may well be struggling to like themselves, and
they may well be dealing with stuff the best they know how. Give them the gift
of understanding and kindness. “Be kind.
Be grateful that God is kind.” -Jeffery R. Holland
Gift of- Service.
Doing things for others whether or
not they could do it for themselves is a gift that changes both the giver and
the recipient. Some of the greatest of leaders were great because they could
lead but also served the people they were leading. What may seem to be small to
the giver can mean the world to others. It may not always be convenient be
those are the times that we can grow from the experience. "Service doesn't have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and
make a difference." -Cheryl A. Esplin “Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those
obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose
themselves in the service of others. By and large, I have come to see that if
we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.”
-Gordon B. Hinckley
Gift of- Time.
Time is the same for everyone and
we are all given the same twenty-four hours in a day. Yes, we can get caught up
in life and get busy. The short moments that we have when spent doing the
simple but meaningful things with others like reading a book to a
four-year-old, playing with a handful of small toys with a one year old or
hiking with a group of teenagers. It is not the monetary value but the value of
time that touches the heart. Give of your time! "Children will not remember you for the material things you
provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them.” -Richard L. Evans
Give of the heart and be as Christ
for he could have given to others all that money could buy but he gave instead
the gift most valuable of his heart. Make Christmas and every day of our lives
a Christ centered event. God is great and loves all of his children. “For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
ever lasting life.” John 3:16
