My wife's Parents, Odell and Selva

The Gift of Gratitude

Have you been looking for that perfect gift? Have you found it yet, or is it an illusive thing, like a quest for the Holy Grail? Maybe you found some, "Well-I-guesss-this-will-be-alright" gifts. You're running out of time! Christmas is now just 5 days away! Want to make that gift really matter? Would you like to add some impact? You can do it! In fact you can even add impact to a really great gift. You can make it sizzle! Best of all, it's so simple. Just give the gift of gratitude! Add impact. Take time to write a special heartfelt note of thanks to give with your gift. Long after the gift is forgotten the note and your words will be treasured!

I know there are some people who just have the gift of giving. It is one of those special gifts of the Spirit, but it is also one that can be and should be cultivated. Through the years my wife's parents, pictured above, have demonstrated this gift. On our recent bus trip, her dad wanted to be sure everyone would be able to go shopping while we were in Atlanta, so he passed out 24 Christmas cards, each containing shopping money! However, what really made his gifts sizzle were the personal notes he wrote inside each card! Long after the money is spent, those words will still be treasured in our hearts. This must be why the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica in 1 Thessaloinians 5:18,

In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This gift of gratitude just keeps on giving. In fact, it is this gift that opens the holiday season at Thanksgiving and continues as we express our thanks to all those generous and thougthtful people who have made our Christmas special.

I want to apply this lesson in my life, by expressing my thanks to God for His many blessings. Specifically I want to thank Him for Odell and Selva, and I want to thank them for giving so much. I want them know that it is my desire to cultivate that same spirit of giving which they have modeled through the years. I hope to add impact to giving by expressing gratefulness, to the many people who have blessed our lives. Even more I hope to multiply the gift of gratitude by also just encouraging you to just try it. Give thanks this Christmas. Give the gift of gratitude.