The Giver

Call me naive, but I am a firm believer that Christmas time really does bringpeople together. Everyone is extra cheery, everyone is a tad more relaxed, the weather is cozy and hugs are a regular. It’s my favorite. However, there is a group that believes the opposite. The Christmas season adds on a lot of pressure, particularly on parents who have to make sure Christmas is perfect for their kiddos. Or those grandmas that decided to host Christmas dinner for the family. It can be a lot. It is, after all, the season of giving. However, I think we forget it’s also the season of receiving. Okay, call me selfish, but just bare with me.

Jesus is the giver. He is the ultimate giver. He gave us the gift of life when we didn’t deserve it and He didn’t ask for anything in return. All He wanted was for us to say thank you and to receive the gift. He doesn’t expect us to do anything else. He just wants us and He want to make us a better version, for nothing else; relationship and only relationship. He doesn’t ask us to perform and live up to what we think He expects us to be. Imagine if God sent Jesus to die just s He’d get something in return, it wouldn’t’ve been a gift.

We are called to be compassionate and, yes, giving. However, if you are doing it because you feel obligated and it doesn’t come from a compassionate and giving place in your heart, then it’s not really giving. In fact, it’d be better if you didn’t give at all. Who wants a pity gift? I don’t. I want gifts that mean something, gifts that come from the heart. There is a difference and it’s noticeable.

The other day, my friend texted and asked what God has been saying to my heart and I told her, “He keeps saying, ‘stop trying.’” I wondered why she asked and she said because she wanted to get a small gift for me. That melted my heart into a puddle of happiness. Even if she didn’t get me anything, the thought itself would be enough. Now imagine someone giving you a pencil and a piece of candy when you texted a message like that. It would take away from the whole purpose.

People always say giving feels so good, but not when the receiver doesn’t know how to receive. As the giver if someone regifted me something last minute just because I gave them something, I’d no longer focus on the feeling of giving, but rather, I’d focus on how they didn’t appreciate and honor my heart.

So, I encourage you, give when you feel called to give and don’t when you don't. And when you receive a gift from someone you had no plans to get a gift before the exchange; just receive it, because that is the best gift.