Where do you find God's Greatest Gifts?
Imagine finding God in the small things like a beautiful unexpected gift! The kind of gift I’m talking about, however, doesn’t come wrapped in colorful paper with a pretty bow. It is usually felt rather than seen. But it blesses you in a way that a ‘gift in a box’ never can because it springs from the soul of another person and touches your spirit with the light of God. “God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him” 1 John 1:5 The Bible).
Consider the following invisible gifts you can give and receive.
• A Smile – Here is one of the most powerful unspoken gifts we can give. Make it a practice to smile at the server when you order a meal in a restaurant, or at the clerk when you pick up your dry cleaning.
• Eye Contact – It is said that the eyes are windows to the soul. Give the gift of eye contact and you’ll notice a closer and more compassionate connection between you and your friend or family member or even a stranger.
• Silence – What if we were to speak less and listen more? Consider what our silence might ‘say’ to that person? “I love you.” “I appreciate you.” “I’m here for you.” These are just some of the invisible gifts that silence bestows. God reminds us in Psalm 46:10 to “Be still, and know that I am God.”
• Apology - Now there’s a gift that’s in short supply in our culture. Most of us are so busy being ‘right,’ we rarely stop to realize we could be wrong. How wonderful it would be to let go and simply say, “I apologize for hurting you. Please forgive me.”
The joy of giving can include cards, words, song and dance, gifts and games, food and beverages, but the real joy, the lasting joy starts within—finding God in the small things––including the invisible gifts of the heart.
Watch the video below and receive the gift of an encouraging smile via the music of Kirk Franklin:
Great article and video clip. Thanks! BTW, this week for my college daughter’s birthday I bought a tiny Hallmark gift book: 1001 Things to be Thankful For. Reading each phrase or word in it is a bit like eating popcorn–it’s hard to stop. The words calls to mind things we can be finding God in and feel grateful for, from hummingbirds to puppies to buttered toast to Seinfeld reruns. Sometimes we do forget to appreciate the little things in life, don’t we?
Those are some great free gifts for sure. Hugs, smiles and blessings to you! Lord willing, I’ll be able to deliver them to you in a couple weeks at Mount Hermon!