Author: jwoods

Being gracious is a gift. Have you ever received a gift you didn’t like? Have you ever been invited to a party you didn’t wish to attend? Has someone you don’t like wanted to converse with you? Are you gracious or do you make the gift giver, the hostess whom invited you or the person whom wants to converse with you know it is not what you desire? For my entire adult life, there was someone whom made certain I always knew I was beneath them. They would choose not to look at me if I asked a query or reply to me when I spoke or acknowledge me when I was present. Even though such actions are offensive to us the recipients, I must always remind myself, the person whom lacks the gift of kindness and graciousness has a much greater loss in their life, than as do I; the recipient of such unkindness. Acts 20:35b: “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

As we share our gratitude with others in our lives, Charles Stanley asked if we express our gratitude to God. “Gratitude isn’t limited to verbal expressions or prayers…songs can often say what our heart feels…another way to express our gratefulness is by serving God.” Charles reminds us, “ultimately we show the Lord our gratitude through obedience. Is God on your list of ones to thank today?” Psalm 100: 4, “enter His gates with thanksgiving.”

Do you ever have those days when your life seems boring and routine? You hear about the joys of others around you and wonder why things haven’t gone well for you? Sometimes we fail to be grateful for what seems to be insignificant and trivial. Then we may realize our lives may be suddenly changed; the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, serious illness, abandonment from a spouse or parent, etc. I Thess 5:18” In every thing give thanks…” even for those boring and routine, but stable days of our lives.

Have you had such a deep emotional sorrow that you wondered how you could endure? Have you longed for the gift of encouragement? While experiencing such desolation recently, I turned not only to God for strength, but also began reading and listening to countless Christian audio books. Over the years I have reached out to authors when I have been impressed by their books. Such happened recently when I contacted Colleen Swindoll Thompson. Her gift of support and encouragement was unlike any I have received. She replied not only with one note of Christian love and comfort, but two. I have received unsolicited criticism about my sorrow from persons I knew. Yet here was a woman whom had never met me but provided a tremendous “gift.” Hers was one of not only acknowledging my grief, but inspiring me that in God’s time, my pain would be healed. Have you given such a gift to someone whom is suffering? I Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks…”

Do you have the “gift of giving” to others? Do you volunteer in your community, at your church or local school? Do you reach out to others when they have a need, with a listening ear or caring heart? Have you invited a neighbor or friend for coffee when they are discouraged? Do you take food to a friend, neighbor or colleague when they are ill or have a death in the family? I find myself looking forward to “giving of myself” to others when I volunteer. For years, as I’ve stood for hours cooking/baking to take to others, my gift has been the blessing I receive in giving. Doing for others also takes my mind off my personal heartaches and sorrows. The gift of giving is truly a gift of receiving. Acts 20:35b: “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Have you ever been with a person or group of people when you’ve noted you wish you had a friend? Mockingly they ask, “what are we?” The majority of the time they are acquaintances, but not friends. As I write this, I have never had a single person in my life I can call a friend. Like you, I have dozens of acquaintances. Friends are a gift. They care about you when you have physical and emotional needs. They will not criticize when you need a word of encouragement or comfort. They will not judge, nor abandon you when you are having a difficult time in your life. They don’t pretend to “know it all” when you have doubts. Have you given a gift of friendship to someone whom needs it? Luke 6:31 Do to others….(NIV)

As I read Charles Stanley today I was reminded of those persons whom come to us with unsolicited criticism. We don’t seek their advice, but they feel it is their duty to tell us how wrong we are. I found Charles’ words timely for me as I read, “Thank the person for his interest in you and explain that you’ll reflect on his observation. If he was sincere, he’ll be appreciative, but if his intentions were negative, this may disarm him.” How very true as I recall I Thess. 5:18, “in every thing give thanks.”