The Gift That Is Never Too Late To Give
While many of us unwrap simple and luxurious, silly and sophisticated, useful and useless gifts this Christmas season, there is one thing that can't be sent via Amazon or placed under a tree.
It is the gift of time.
Though it is rarely requested on a wish list, the gift of quality time spent with another person is the one gift that is rarely forgotten, never superfluous, and always a blessing.
A few weeks ago, in the midst of the holiday frenzy, my husband and I gathered our boys and carefully composed a to-do list of all that we had to complete prior to the upcoming celebrations. There was not a moment to spare and seemingly not enough time to get it all done.
And then a friend called in need of some extra hands on deck.
And another friend requested our help to celebrate her husband's birthday.
And another friend dropped by for a visit.
All in the same weekend...a weekend we declared full to the brim. But, as we considered each of these unexpected opportunities to bless and be blessed, it became apparent to us that though we had failed to send Christmas cards or bake holiday treats this year in the aftermath of a move, we were given the privilege of giving time.
To be hospitable when you don't think you have time to be...
To be generous when you don't think you have enough...
To be welcoming when you have to make room...
This is the paradox of gifting the intangible...that which we can't buy, replace, or return.
The gift of time, wrapped in all that the Lord provides, is the one gift that doesn't wear out in 2015. We can know that it won't go out of style and will not fade away.
Perhaps you didn't receive this gift (or give it) this Christmas season? It's not too late. This is the gift each of us treasure...all year long.
Because of grace,
Ruth Simons
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