Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we overlook because we’re too busy looking for the perfect gift; instead of looking at the person in front of us.
In a previous blog, we shared two principles we follow when gift-giving. Those principles have truly changed the way we give.
When we walked through financial hardship, it opened our eyes to having sincere empathy for others in similar situations that we didn’t have before.
We quickly learned that giving a gift that could meet a need did more for others; than buying just a thoughtful gift. You know, the kind of gift when people think in their mind but won’t tell you; it’s the thought that counts.
Yep, you’re right! It’s the thought that counts, and they will be thinking: “wow they didn’t give me much thought.”
One year, Timberley was asked what she wanted for her birthday. She told them she wanted money for groceries. However, that person responded with: “that’s not a gift.”
Well, it didn’t seem like a gift for that person, because buying groceries came easy for them. But for us, during that time, we were believing God for our daily bread.
That experience opened our eyes to purposefully give with a need in mind. What does this person or family need, and what would be a great blessing in their lives at this moment? As we became more mindful of this, it forced us to rely on The Holy Spirit to direct our giving.
Someone may need: a gas card, a bus ticket, help cleaning their home, a babysitter, a utility bill paid, a meal prepared, their lawn cut, or someone to keep them company. It can be anything; the point is, don’t underestimate meeting a need as a gift.
James 2:15-16 Says; If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do?
Please don’t misunderstand us, sometimes people have needs that are beyond our ability and the only thing we can do is pray. But we’re talking about the needs that are within our reach to help. Just because it’s a need doesn’t mean it isn’t a gift.
Don’t let the task of gift giving overwhelm you and cause you to over think it. Simply, purpose to be sensitive to the needs of those around you, so that your generosity will cause them to experience God’s love in a tangible way.
How can you help meet a need this week for someone, no matter how big or small?
~ André and Timberley Gray
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