“Giving” in your life is something that should never stop. Do you know your motivation for giving? It’s much more important than the “gift” itself. Many people’s thoughts are dominated by the cost of something or to impress someone, or to conditionally receive something in return when they give a gift.
Giving to me, means you take a piece of yourself, you stop thinking about you and start thinking about him or her. It should be motivated by something outside of yourself, but come from inside yourself.
I received an incredible gift for my birthday this year. What the giver in my situation gave, was overwhelming love. Embedded in that love was support and encouragement, a belief in me and my talents. It was given with delight! And gosh, I received it with joy because I knew the giver gave of herself, gave of her heart!
I believe the hardest thing to give is the gift of consistent love. My husband models that love and I am grateful for that. God gave us His son. His heart motivation is to connect with us for all eternity–that’s consistency! What’s your definition of giving? Here is my definition for this month:
WIN THIS PRINT BY NAMING THIS PAINTING!
I’ve been calling this “Mission Impossible” but it just doesn’t seem right. So I’m giving everyone who reads this a chance to “Name this Painting” and win a beautiful print.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL WIN: Your 11 x 17 print of the above painting will be number and signed (any way you like) by me, the artist. Printed on 80 lb card stock. The print will be shipped, via first-class mail, in a rigid cardboard envelope
WHEN: Now until February 7th – you’ll have it by Valentine’s Day!
HERE’S HOW TO DO IT: Subscribe to our blog (if you haven’t already done so) so that we know how to contact you, and then leave your suggestion for the name in the comments. The winner will be contacted via email and we’ll post the name here on our blog.
Don’t be selfish…post this on your Facebook page too! I am so excited to see your entries!
3 Comments
Leesa Donner · January 28, 2016 at 12:21 pm
Many years ago I read a book called “The Five Love Languages” and realized that “gifts” were my love language. The author makes the point that it isn’t the monetary attachment – it could be a bouquet of fresh picked daisies if daisies are something special to that specific person – but rather gifts can be considered an “act of service.” In other words, it takes a lot of time and thought to arrange for the perfect gift and of course if it’s expensive there is sacrifice involved as well. And I’ll have to hand it to my mother-in-law as she once said a “good gift” was one that the receiver would want but wouldn’t dare buy for themselves. Sure receiving a thoughtful gift is fun. But just as enjoyable is “giving” the perfect gift. So motivation is everything and this changes things entirely because when I look on my calendar and see a friend or family members birthday I relish the thought. I mull it over for awhile and try and come up with the perfect gift. What could be more fun than to see their happy face in front of something they never would have gotten for themselves but surely will use and be happy to have? On the other hand, it’s hard to accept “thoughtless gifts” like when a family member gave me a piece of meat for my birthday (I couldn’t make this one up!) There is always hurt feelings that goes with such thoughtlessness. But then I remember — well, maybe it just isn’t THEIR “Love Language.” 🙂
Donna Acree · February 5, 2016 at 7:23 am
I think the print should be named “Joyful Morning” which is inspired by the bible verse …”Joy comes in the morning”! It’s a bright new day and this picture reflects that .
Michelle · February 5, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Thanks for your name comment. We’ll let you know after the 7th!