How to Give All Year

Posted by Julie | 0 comments

Each year, I notice the amount of time spent on frenzied shopping, baked goodies, Christmas card lists, parties, the perfect gift for an acquaintance or co-worker, special meals with friends and family and oh so much more. With each year that passes, the kids get older, we have more friends spread throughout the world, we draw ever closer to retiring from the military and there are two things that remain constant. One is our love for the Lord, the other is that things in life will always change.

But with all this energy and time expended, I sit back and wonder how much time is spent remembering “the reason for the season”, which brings to mind another question, how much time do I spend throughout the year on these types of things? Should I only be in a spirit of giving this one time a year?

I have made more of an effort over the last five or six years to be in a spirit of giving and put God first the whole year through.

Whenever I share this with other people, their first comments are, “Isn’t that expensive?” and “That’s terrific!”. I want to share with you that I have found it’s the simplest things that really show you care and most cost little to no money, but do require time and thoughtfulness. The time and thoughtfulness are a way for us to let Christ’s light shine through us and put God first. After all, the Bible tells us to edify and uplift one another and what better way to do that than to show appreciation and love?

Here are some things you can do to show your thanks or love. They are combined events from my own personal experiences as well as those of friends and family. Some we have blessed others with, some we have been greatly blessed by others.

Put your skills to work!

1) While I was a child care provider, a divorced military Mom needed someone to care for her two boys while she was in the field for two weeks to train a group of soldiers preparing to deploy to Iraq. This was during the holiday season and there was much she would miss during this time. I took pictures of everything we did, paid $7.00 to have them developed and then utilized scrapbooking materials I already had on hand and created a beautiful memory book (with the boys’ help). She was very touched by the gesture and now takes that scrapbook with her each time she has to be away from them.

2) If organizing comes naturally, help out a friend or family member that expresses their frustration to you! Although it may seem insignificant, offering your time can make a world of difference, whether they take you up on the offer or not.

3) A friend of mine, who also home-schools, offered Math tutoring to a neighbor’s daughter, for free! Her efforts greatly impacted the young girl in more ways than one and even had positive affect on the girl’s family. Goodness knows, there are plenty of subjects out there to offer expertise to someone who needs it.

4) A family in need? Plant a seed! There are small things you can do to make things easier. If they have an illness in the family, offer to prepare a meal. Some friends of ours were in a car accident a few years ago and all of them had injuries, except their then 10 year old daughter. I called people in our community and asked each person if they would be willing to cook a meal and on which day and deliver it to the family. It was so successful that we were able to provide this family supper for 2 weeks!

5) My Mom, ever creative and talented, drew a portrait of a family member and gave it as a gift!

Want something super simple? Try these suggestions out!

1) Many years ago, my Mom made what she called a “Warm Fuzzy Jar”. The jar could be an empty peanut can that you recover or you can get a cheap plastic or glass jar from a dollar store, it’s up to you! She made small little cards with smiley faces on the front and inside were written some of the coolest memories! Some were sad, some hilarious and others just reminding me of how special I am to her. I love that jar and still go back through the memories from time to time.

2) Little notes in lunch boxes, brief cases, on a computer screen, in a coat pocket, etc. A note saying I love you or God made you special or any of a hundred other things you could think of.

3) A hand written card or letter, any time of year! You can always make your own card and make it custom designed for the person you’re sending it to! A phone call to say hi, you’re on my mind and wanted to tell you and hope your day is great! An email or networking site post to let someone know you’re thinking of them.

4) A hug or a smile. Taking time to play a board game or read a story. Just looking someone in the eye and saying, “You are so important to me! I’m so glad you’re in my life”.

5) Make your own coupon booklet to give a friend or relative. You can include “coupons” in there that you know that person will really appreciate! Things like, “Good for one home made sweet potato pie”, “Good for one afternoon of board games with Mom and Dad”, “Good for a morning of coffee and chit chat”. You can include the specifics on each coupon too, such as, “Redeemed at a time convenient to all, please ask in advance”.

So, there you have it! Each year I strive to be better than the year before and come up with something even more special and creative for the individual I’m appreciating. So, as 2010 approaches, please remember to stay in a spirit of giving and Shine On!

Julie is a happily married Navy spouse of 16 years, and a homeschooling Mom. She served in the Navy prior to having their children, a daughter – age 15 and a son – age 7. Not only does she have the joy of homeschooling their children and learning from them as she teaches, but she is attending college for her long sought after degree. In her spare time (what’s that? Giggle, giggle) she enjoys fishing, camping, scrapbooking, card making, crafts, reading and oh so much more! The question most often asked of her is, “Do you blog?!” The answer (at this time) is no. She does, however, enjoy contributing to various discussion boards and posting notes on others’ blogs.