How well would you rate yourself as a gifter? I used to be pretty good at it, but through the years as life has squeezed and time has pinched, I’ve not done such a great job in this area. “Last minute” seems to be my modus operandi.
Why a post on gift giving?
Well, I’m really feeling the crunch with graduations, weddings, baby showers and birthdays all hitting within a couple months of each other. For many years I kept a shelf in my closet filled with gifts I found throughout the year, but too many years have gone by while the shelf sits empty. I’m tired of playing catch-up, always behind, and gift giving is a big area in which I want to be more intentional.
But more than all of this, I’m feeling the nudge to move beyond my world and into someone else’s. In a world filled with hopelessness the call to give more and take less stirs inside of me.
Because I believe gift giving is an opportunity to give hope. Regardless of the size, amount or value of a gift, gift giving is an extension of the heart.
“The act of giving something to others is an art of flowering your heart.” ~Vinayak
~an opportunity to invest in someone else’s life
~a way to offer a reflection of the strength of our feelings
~an occasion for celebrating even the smallest joys in life
~ a bestowing of honor
~an open door to restoring relationships
~a sweet fragrance of shared memories
[bctt tweet=”“The act of giving something to others is an art of flowering your heart.” ~Vinayak” username=”CrystalTwaddell”]
And why wouldn’t we want to spread hope? In a world where a simple hug overcomes despair and a kind word silences anger. Why not look for every opportunity to sprinkle hope over one life? In a world that desperately needs to know of pure, authentic love. The kind that expects nothing in return and will go the extra mile and sacrifice “just because”…even for just one.
“The greatest work you will ever do is charity; the most divine work you will ever do will be changing people’s perception of God, while you’re doing charity.” ~Shannon L. Alder
I want to go deeper in gift giving. Beyond those I like and those who like me. I want to surprise those who won’t see it coming. Those who expect less but deserve more, and those who need to know there is something more profound in this world than pain and sorrow and suffering. I want it to be wild and creative, unpredictable and full of goodness…even for just one.
So I’m on a mission this month, to take 30 days toward becoming an intentional Hope-Gifter all year-long. Taking time now to plan for the rest of the year will go a long way in making space for hope to spread and grow. And I’m going to start with 7 steps to keep me focused and centered on planning and implementing my goal while also utilizing a gift list system I created for one-stop hope gifting.
♥ Spend time listening and observing others.
♥ Seek out the least of these.
♥ See the good in people.
♥ Scribble personalized and creative hope-gifting ideas.
♥ Set aside time to shop or create.
♥ Sacrifice for the sake of one.
♥ Spread hope through the unexpected.
Perhaps you need a little help in the hope-gifting area. If so, enjoy using these gift lists designed to help you brainstorm creative gifts of hope for everyone in your life. Let them be a tool to help you seek out the least who need hope the most. An avenue toward growth and sacrifice as you pour into the lives of others and listen to their hearts.
Let them be a messenger of love and goodwill, a passageway to restoration. And let them be a sweet, unexpected and extravagant melody that leads others to the greatest Hope Gifter…even for just one.
Print {PDF} Free
Like today’s blog photo? Here’s an amazing Hope-Gift from me to you….Lifetime access to faith-based and royalty-free images for all of your blog posts! High quality photos with 100 new photos added every month. I love them, and I’m sure you will too!
[bctt tweet=”Sharing our #blogs on #FreshMarketFriday #linkup! Today: Becoming a Hope-Gifter! ” username=”CrystalTwaddell”]
Need a little more Hope-Gifter help? You’ll find some great gifts here!
This Week’s Featured Fresh Find…
If you’re new to Fresh Market Friday, you can find more about the community here.
Each week, it’s my pleasure to select one writer from the link-up to showcase on my blog for the entire week. I’m excited to announce this week’s Featured Fresh Find is Bethany over at Snapdragon of the Field!
Sometimes the simplest concepts are the most difficult for us to grasp and implement in our lives. Bethany challenges us to step away from all the busyness and chaos of life by intentionally planning a sabbath rest to remind us of our reliance on God for all of our needs and cultivate our trust him, in his timing and his provisions. She also gives us 5 simple ways to achieve the kind of sabbath rest that leaves us filled with hope and refreshed for this wonderful gift of life we’ve been entrusted to live to the fullest.
Won’t you please visit Bethany’s and share some Fresh Market Friday encouragement…because we all need a little encouragement!
And here’s another fresh piece of goodness…
A badge for all featured writers! Just right-click on the badge and copy the link address to your blog sidebar!
♥ Write your post on your blog, just like any other post
♥ Use the linky tool below to copy and paste your post permalink (limit of 2)
♥ Add my Fresh Market Friday badge to your post. Or link up my blog in your post as a great way to invite friends to the blog market.
♥ Try to find another market vendor to encourage with a comment
♥ Consider following my blog and/or Facebook page, because connecting with you is what makes all of this so worthwhile.
♥ Please feel free to pin and connect on Pinterest also!
♥ Our Twitter hashtag is #FreshMarketFriday
Share your piece of fresh goodness below…
[inlinkz_linkup id=708296 mode=1]
I frequently join other community link-ups here.