I Have A Gift

 There are items in our home that we regularly use for a different purpose than the one for which they were intended. A great example of this is our floor sweeper. It's purpose is to reach under the furniture and sweep all of the dust off of the floor. We often use it to retrieve toys or other small items that have accidently found their way to a place that we can not reach. We use it so much for this purpose that when I was cleaning, my oldest son asked me "what are you trying to get?"

 

 There are so many things that are commonly used for an alternate or additional purpose. A toothbrush. A toothbrush is a great scrubber. The ones that are recommended now are soft-bristle, so they aren't quite as effective as a scrubber. But they still work. We have used a toothbrush for scrubbing grout, getting stains out clothes, cleaning shoes, etc.

 

 Using tangible items for multiple purposes doesn't usually hurt anyone. But what if we started misusing other things? Some examples are a woman who uses her beauty to manipulate others; children and pets who use their cuteness to get out of trouble; people who use their intelligence for illegal purposes. One thing that these examples have in common is that they are God-given traits. We were all born with God-given gifts that are unique to each one of us.

 

 When we are born into God's kingdom, we are given a special gift. The gift is special because it is only given to followers of Christ, and it is only of value when we allow God to use it for his purpose. These are referred to as "spiritual gifts."

 

 I have the spiritual gift of discernment. I have taken many gifts tests, and this one always comes out on top. I'm not exactly sure of everything this gift encompasses, but I will share a way I have seen it manifested in my life. During a spiritual discussion with others I often find myself thinking "that's not true," or "yes, exactly." Many times I have no clue where this analyzing comes from, but I always research God's Word after the discussions and find answers that match what I felt at the moment. There is no logical explanation, it is just the Holy Spirit speaking to me and telling me what is truth and what is not.

 

 I know this sounds a whole lot like bragging. I'll admit it is a great gift to have. Sometimes I even remind my husband with the statement "I know, because I have the gift of discernment." Let me be honest. Just like the toothbrush, I have used my gift abrasively. Just like the examples above, I have used my gift to harm others.

 

 I have another personality trait, we'll call this one a flaw. It is the desire to be right. I have let this desire to be right interfere with God's plan for me and others. I have found myself dictating to others why I am right and they are wrong. If you are reading this and think "this is about me," you're probably right. But I assure you, you are not the only one I've done this to.

 

 I've spent time praying about how to appropriately use this for the good of God's kingdom and lift up others. The answer is very clear: I need to shut my mouth. When there is a believer that needs some help understanding something or verifying truth, I know they will ask me. I am mentoring a couple of young girls, and in that case I am free to speak truth into their lives. In love. After all, they did sign up for that. I can also use this gift to lift up others who need to hear that they are loved, forgiven, and cherished. The most important thing I must remember is that it is not about me being right, it is about God being right. I just need to move out of the way. AmIRight?

The Other Giving Tree

 I wanted an upside-down Christmas tree. I needed an upside-down Christmas tree. Partly because I read about it in Ann Voskamp's blog. Mostly because I'm a little strange and unique and it just "fits." The tree should represent a Christmas that is opposite to the Christmas of wanting and receiving. I'm picturing it as a tree that selflessly gives. (There should be a book about that.) In my mind, when a traditional Christmas tree is flipped over, all the gifts that are gathered under it will come spilling out. We might be left with nothing. Which is precisely why I need that tree to remind me: we need nothing. Yet we want everything.

 

 

 

 When I began thinking about the gift-giving, I didn't get all excited or stressed out. I had a plan. The plan was to give, give, and give. That is, to give to other individuals who are not part of my family. Strangers, lost people, found people, kids in need, and those who just want. I was going to strategically pick just a couple of gifts for my children and one for my husband and be done. I didn't want anything and I definitely don't need anything.

 

 Then it happened. I innocently went to a store, with a red bull's eye on it, looking for a gift for a child in need. It took me a while to find the specific item she had requested. Suddenly, I was in the boys' department admiring the magical new toys and allowing my eyes and ears to be hypnotized by their call. Every time I walked by a certain train, it sounded out "choo, choo." I moved on to look at other items, only to return to that aisle and again hear the "choo, choo." My boys would love that train. We already have a train, but it doesn't make sounds.

 

 I caught myself. I knew I was there to shop for children in need, and not there to shop for me. Because, let's be honest here, when I'm shopping for my children, I'm really shopping for me. I want to see their joyous expressions when they open those gifts and gaze upon them for the first time. I want them to spend hours playing while I have a little mommy time to myself. I want them to repeatedly tell me how great my present-picking skills are and that I'm the best mommy in the entire world. I, I , I...

 

 Putting others before myself was proving to be harder than I'd thought. I needed a clear plan that I could objectively measure. So I focused on a goal for our family Christmas gifts this year. The idea was actually stolen from my older sister. I am not condoning stealing during the Christmas season. Or any season. But especially not during Christmas. Or ever. Moving on: The idea comes from Luke 2:52. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people."

 

 There will be four total gifts per child: one representing wisdom, one for stature, one that strengthens their relationship with God, and one for their relationship with people. Santa may bring one extra toy some years, but this year they will be included; mommy and daddy aren't spending any more money.

 

 That brings me to a second goal that we have this Christmas: To spend as much or more money on others than on our own family. I love this goal because it simultaneously puts the focus on giving more to others and giving less to ourselves.

 

My helper. We I wrapped gifts for foster children. He played with cardboard

 

 I'm confident that this will work for us and for our children in years to come. Of course they want and will want all the toys that will break in a week or will be shoved to the back of the closet until clean out day. Then they will shout "Hey! I forgot about this!" and play with it for another hour. But after that, it's done. There are no lasting benefits to the "stuff." But hey, I'm not knocking the "stuff." That is what we include with the relationship with man: things like games, shared toys, etc. This year I also used toys geared toward wisdom. They are called "educational toys." If you want to overload them with "stuff," that's where Nana and Grandma come in. (wink, wink)

 

 We are so incredibly blessed to be able to give to one another. Gift giving is my primary love language, so it's natural for me to want to give and give and give to my children. I'm learning more each day that they really just want me to give them my time. I play trains with the little one and he pushes his around the house saying "choo, choo!" Then I realize, I am the best mommy in the entire world.

 

Our tree has evolved to include prayer and Christmas cards

They Say It's Your Birthday!

 Thanksgiving is over, which means it is officially the start of Christmas celebration! I am so very excited to begin listening to Christmas music, decorating, and giving gifts! For weeks I have been thinking of ways to make this Christmas very special and hopefully begin some traditions of our own.

 

 It is your birthday! We are so excited to celebrate that we've taken extra time to get everything prepared. You see, we look forward to your birthday all year. It always passes too quickly, so sometimes we start getting ready a little early. We decorate by putting up lights all around the city. It really is a beautiful thing. There are so many songs that honor your birthday, with new ones being written every year. Young children dress up nice and perform those songs in front of an audience of parents. Each family has their own unique traditions. But there is one tradition that most people agree on: the giving of gifts! Even though we may not admit it, we love receiving gifts as well. Because we love you so much, we spend lots of time and money to give the best gifts. We give these gifts to each other, because it is your birthday. I just feel like maybe we have forgotten something...

 

 Please remember to honor Jesus this year by giving more than material gifts. Don't forget to honor him by reserving the best gifts for Jesus alone. How can we give gifts to Jesus?

 

The King will answer and say to them 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' (Matt 25:40)

 

 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. (Matt 25:35,36)

 

 There are so many ways to give to Jesus! Here are a few suggestions:

• Make or buy goodies for your local service men and women
• Pay for the meal or drink for someone at the drive through, a cashier at the store, anyone really
• Sponsor a wish list or single gift for children in need in your area
• Sponsor gifts for elderly people in your community
• Volunteer wrapping or sorting presents through a local organization
• Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food kitchen
• Send animals or monetary gifts to children in need in other countries
• Contribute to a community to provide clean water
• Sponsor a child in need

 

Some websites to visit are the following:

• World Vision
• Compassion
• Blood-water mission
• Kids to Love
• Chickens and goats

For you: A giveaway! Leave a comment saying what you have given to Jesus this year for His birthday, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Target gift card. There is no need to be specific. (I.e. gave to a child in need; volunteered locally; made treats to give away, etc.)The winner will be drawn January 1st, 2014.

 

This post is not sponsored. There is no purchase necessary to be entered into the drawing, just be creative with how you give. Immediate family members are not eligible to win. Each person will only be entered once. Anonymous comments are welcome, but I need to know your name to put into the drawing (private message, if needed). If you would like to add to the giveaway by providing a prize, awesome! Message me.