Gifts that Cannot be Bought
By Lynn Bradley
Christmas is a thrilling time of the year. It teaches the gift of giving. After we learn this lesson, we should continue to give all year to show our love. Giving ourselves to others is the most precious gift we can give. You have permission to publish this article.
The most valuable gifts cannot be bought. The intangible ones mold character. One of the most precious gifts is that of time. Spending time with children is more valuable than anything purchased. Molding character by teaching the proper value system is priceless.
Just being there for little ones is one of the most valuable gifts you could give.The gift of wisdom taught gently to children will benefit them the rest of their life. Show them the difference between wise and foolish plans. Teach them how to reason out the best way to approach life. This gift cannot be bought with any amount of money.
When children are constantly told no, it could give them an inferiority complex. We should lovingly explain the reason for discipline. We should show them that we love them dearly. Punishing them sometimes and not others when they need it, will leave them confused. We should be consistent. Teach them how to make wise decisions. Encourage them to do what they love and praise them when they do well. This will build self confidence. The gift of a skilled upbringing will keep on giving as long as they live.
The gift of compassion to someone who is hurting can turn their day, and perhaps their life around. It is human nature to defend yourself when someone gives you a hard time. If instead, you are kind to them and let them know you understand their frustration, it will usually have a calming effect on them.
A smile and a gentle greeting to someone with a frown on their face will help cheer them up. Harsh words can incite anger but a soft answer will soothe their spirit. Those who are angry will become more agitated by sharp words. If you remain calm, it will help them simmer down.
Being a friend is worth more than any amount of money. True friends will not let us destroy ourselves with destructive negative thoughts. When we realize someone is in a dangerous state of depression, we need to see that they get professional help. Sometimes just having a friend give them wise counsel will help them work out their problems. They must be reminded that no problem is worth worrying over until they are incapable of thinking straight. If they cannot work out difficulties by themselves, they can get help. By watching for these danger signs, we can stop them from taking their life.
Life can be cruel and sometimes people get hit with more than their share of tragedies. Having someone to be with them and give comfort and help is priceless. We should be sensitive to the needs of other people. When they look dejected, we should ask them what is bothering them. Having someone to talk to, will go a long way toward lifting their spirits. It does not take much to give the gift of your time and compassion, and it will be a precious blessing to both of you.
The worse thing you can do is to wallow in self pity. Go cheer up someone else and you will feel better about yourself. When you are discouraged about your low paying job, think about those who have no job. Concentrate on what is right with you instead of worrying about what is wrong with you. Counting your blessings will give the gift of thankfulness.
The greatest gift to yourself is to follow your dreams. It is to acquire knowledge and build confidence to the point that the thought of failure never occurs to you. The greatest gift to your long life is to be so busy doing what you love, that you do not have the time to die. The greatest gift to your dying day is to serve God so well that you can say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”
The most precious gift we ever received is that of life. We should learn to respect our life and that of others. Everyone is a child of God whether they acknowledge it or not. We should have the spirit of giving all year long. The best way to learn how to handle life is to be a student of the Bible. The book, “Climbing the Heavenly Stairs,” gives insight into God’s Word. Jesus came to give us abundant life but we must know how to acquire it. Read more at: thelynnbradleybook.com
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March 21st, 2008 at 19:57
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