3 last minute gifts guaranteed to please

It’s the day before Christmas and the stores are packed. What can you give that person you know well? You are wondering the aisles, thinking how meaningless the whole thing is. What do you get to truly express your heart? Or the relative showing up at the party that you know nothing about? Here are 3 gifts that keep on giving…

Growth

This may seem counter intuitive, but committing to your personal growth is actually one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones and the world in general. Make a real commitment to the people in your life that you will intentionally work on your character issues and personality brokenness this coming year.

In 2003, I remember meeting Aloys, a pastor in Rwanda. His faith journey began simpy.

“I wanted to be a better husband to my wife, so I gave my life to Christ.”

What amazing thinking! Committing to taking off those rough edges, the impatience and irritability, that’s an expensive gift. It may mean counseling. It may mean asking for forgiveness. Certainly accountability and training will be part of the journey. Let the ones to whom you’ve given “growth” know your process and progress.

Grace

We all mess up. We irritate each other.

Amazingly, have you noticed how our tolerance for the faults of others decreases in direct proportion to our intimacy with them? We often accept the foibles and eccentricities of strangers and show none for our loved ones and close friends.

Acceptance of the oddities of others with a commiserate dedication that we will not allow their brokenness to push us away, that is a true gift.

“I’m going to love you. No matter how odd, sharp, edgy, cranky, and broken you are.” Now that’s a gift.

Grins

Ok, so I’m pushing the alliteration, but what if for a year you decided that when you see your child in the morning, you smile. When you see your wife or husband, smile at them. Smile at your employer and employees.

A smile is often costly. The requirement is intentionality. Valuing someone enough to smile can be difficult in the midst of the chaos of life.

Let it be genuine. Find a good memory, and every time you see that person, pull up the positive memory. Then give them a smile. Make sure it reaches your eyes.

So there you have it. 3 gifts you can give everyone. And avoid the store.

What gifts have you given like this.