Advent marks a time of waiting, joyfully looking forward to a much-anticipated birth. So often we see waiting as a time of frustration, but imagining good things to come can hold as much pleasure as the things themselves.
When has a time of waiting been a gift?
“If nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that—warm things, kind things, sweet things—help and comfort and laughter—and sometimes gay, kind laughter is the best help of all.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett
Who comes across to you as a natural giver? What have you learned from them?
Whether or not you have shopped and wrapped and ribboned, you come bearing gifts: your open heart, your willingness to listen, your stories, your calm presence or flair for the dramatic. Thank you for your gifts.
What unwrapped, unrecognized gift will you give today?
“The older I get, the more I seem to be able to appreciate my ‘neighbor’ (whomever I happen to be with at the moment). Oh, sure, I’ve always tried to love my neighbor as myself; however, the more experiences I’ve had, the more chances I’ve had to see the uniqueness of each person… as well as each tree, and plant, and shell, and cloud… the more I find myself delighting every day in the lavish gifts of God, whom I’ve come to believe is the greatest appreciator of all.”
―Fred Rogers
What have you only learned to appreciate over time?
In pretty much any religious tradition, giving is an important spiritual practice. But that spiritual practice is only available if there are those who receive, which means that gracious receiving is a parallel spiritual gift.
How do you bless others through gracious receiving?
