I had a fairly fantastic realization last weekend. Basically I recognized that I feel most in my element or niche when I'm being thoughtful. Of course this is a tricky word because its clearly my interpretation of what being thoughtful means. While others may not always consider my actions thoughtful (and at times, they are most definitely not thoughtful), for the most part, I do really enjoy the action of being thoughtful.
I looked up a few definitions and these were the two that stuck with me,
- Having or showing heed for the well-being or happiness of others and a propensity for anticipating their needs or wishes
- Showing consideration for the needs of other people
- Showing consideration for the needs of other people
As to why, I cannot explain. I've been thinking about why something like this truly fulfills me, and to be honest, I don't know. A few years ago, in a contesting spree, I won a $500 gift card to West Edmonton Mall, and I was over the moon because that Christmas I was able to buy all the gifts I really wanted to buy for people. The ones I considered to be really thoughtful. I actually didn't buy a single thing for myself out of that money, and I felt so incredibly satisfied with the items I was able to bless people with.
Unfortunately for our bank account, my thoughtfulness often comes in the form of money spent. There are few things I love more than spending an afternoon shopping for gifts; it actually probably surpasses shopping for myself. In recent years, I've tried to change my tune a bit, and put more effort into free or cheap giftings. And I've found that one of the most priceless gifts you can ever offer is your time. Of course, everyone's time has a value (to them), but I know it is one of those things that I can give freely of, generally at my own choosing and will.
Back in my youth group days, we would always have to fill out these lame questionnaires about what our "spiritual giftings" were. Of course we all wanted to be something fancy like preachers or musicians, you know, the big time stuff. But not for little 'ol me. Time and time again I always got stuck with having the gift of encouragement. At the time it seemed like an incredibly boring gifting, but as I've aged, I've come to appreciate the versatility of it. And for the most part, its stuck with me. I can recognize when I am most definitely not being an encourager, and for the most part, its usually in my home, where I become the exact opposite...a critic. Sigh.
Another thing I have come to recognize is that for the most part, we are thoughtful in ways that we wish people would reciprocate to us. Its a fine line. I think oftentimes thoughtfulness stems from observance. If you pay close enough attention, you will begin to see those things that make people tick. The clothes they wear. The way they decorate their home. How they spend their money. Their hopes and dreams. A friend recently shared with me how she loves to dance, despite the fact she's never taken any lessons. So when she's home alone she dances around her house, and considers it to be an act of worship. The thought of her dancing around her living room makes me smile, so much so that I sent her some music that I think is really beautiful. Of course, I don't know if she'll like the music, but I hope, if anything, she feels loved and recognized through my gift.
I thought I would share some of my most favoritest thoughtful actions. Forgive me if this seems totally self-absorbed. To be honest, I do spent a lot of time thinking and considering what would bless people. I usually have a little notebook going of things people have mentioned that I want to remember for their birthday or holidays. So while I am in no way an expert at being thoughtful, and I often fail, I was just so excited to recognize this recently, I thought I'd share.
Unfortunately for our bank account, my thoughtfulness often comes in the form of money spent. There are few things I love more than spending an afternoon shopping for gifts; it actually probably surpasses shopping for myself. In recent years, I've tried to change my tune a bit, and put more effort into free or cheap giftings. And I've found that one of the most priceless gifts you can ever offer is your time. Of course, everyone's time has a value (to them), but I know it is one of those things that I can give freely of, generally at my own choosing and will.
Back in my youth group days, we would always have to fill out these lame questionnaires about what our "spiritual giftings" were. Of course we all wanted to be something fancy like preachers or musicians, you know, the big time stuff. But not for little 'ol me. Time and time again I always got stuck with having the gift of encouragement. At the time it seemed like an incredibly boring gifting, but as I've aged, I've come to appreciate the versatility of it. And for the most part, its stuck with me. I can recognize when I am most definitely not being an encourager, and for the most part, its usually in my home, where I become the exact opposite...a critic. Sigh.
Another thing I have come to recognize is that for the most part, we are thoughtful in ways that we wish people would reciprocate to us. Its a fine line. I think oftentimes thoughtfulness stems from observance. If you pay close enough attention, you will begin to see those things that make people tick. The clothes they wear. The way they decorate their home. How they spend their money. Their hopes and dreams. A friend recently shared with me how she loves to dance, despite the fact she's never taken any lessons. So when she's home alone she dances around her house, and considers it to be an act of worship. The thought of her dancing around her living room makes me smile, so much so that I sent her some music that I think is really beautiful. Of course, I don't know if she'll like the music, but I hope, if anything, she feels loved and recognized through my gift.
I thought I would share some of my most favoritest thoughtful actions. Forgive me if this seems totally self-absorbed. To be honest, I do spent a lot of time thinking and considering what would bless people. I usually have a little notebook going of things people have mentioned that I want to remember for their birthday or holidays. So while I am in no way an expert at being thoughtful, and I often fail, I was just so excited to recognize this recently, I thought I'd share.
- Leave a meal in the fridge of friends who are returning from a holiday. There's nothing worse that getting home to an empty fridge after a week of holidaying and then needing to run out to the store to get some food for dinner. What a delight to come home to dinner, ready to go. Its almost like one more day of holiday.
- Write a thank you note. I cannot emphasize this enough! Such a simple and quick act that leaves a lasting impression. And blesses the heart of the receiver, knowing that you took the time and effort to recognize their actions.
- Spontaneity. Recently I flew back home and surprised my Mom with a weekend visit. Of course my Mom was a bit of a ninja and had a sense that I was coming. But, to know that someone planned and prepared and took time out of their lives to spend time with you...well, not much can replace that. My friend still talks about the time I drove to her home, 2.5 hours away, ate dinner, briefly celebrated her birthday, and then drove another 2.5 hours home. That took time and gas money, but it will always be a memory we share and hopefully an example of how much she means to me.
- Gift someone with that small, simple, silly thing that they live without. I know, it seems silly, because they live without it, but at the same time, I've seen time and time again how it blesses their heart. In one instance it was a crepe pan for friends. Another time, a garbage can. Both items are neither glamorous or necessities in life, but they warm hearts.
- Babysit. For free. I must admit, I generally despise babysitting. As a teen I avoiding babysitting at all costs, that is unless my allowance was spent or I desperately wanted something. I've learned that I like my own children best, but I also know that having someone offer to care for them is one of the best gifts. Knowing that your children are in good hands and at the same time, getting a break from them, is so refreshing.
- Offer your skills. Having a husband who also happens to be a carpenter and a handyman is great. Seriously, I have no idea how I'd pull off 95% of my DIY ways without him. What I also love is to see him use those skills to bless others. Don't get me wrong, I love the extra money he can make with his talents. But I am equally thrilled when he randomly fixes a part on someone's dishwasher, or replaces a faucet, or installs baseboards, or repairs a storm door. Over the years I've learned the hard lesson of prematurely offering his talents, so now I always ensure that I have his permission before I offer. But it always thrills my heart to watch my man bless people with his giftings.
- Food. This is one that still challenges me, but I am slowly getting more confident in my kitchen abilities. Have someone round for a meal. Or give them a meal after having a baby or during illness. Or heck...for no good reason at all. Unfortunately in my churches culture, meal-giving is solely reserved for birth, death, and/or illness. The reality is that food can bless someone's heart any day, regardless of the circumstance.
Care to share some ways that you've blessed someone's heart lately?
- Babysit. For free. I must admit, I generally despise babysitting. As a teen I avoiding babysitting at all costs, that is unless my allowance was spent or I desperately wanted something. I've learned that I like my own children best, but I also know that having someone offer to care for them is one of the best gifts. Knowing that your children are in good hands and at the same time, getting a break from them, is so refreshing.
- Offer your skills. Having a husband who also happens to be a carpenter and a handyman is great. Seriously, I have no idea how I'd pull off 95% of my DIY ways without him. What I also love is to see him use those skills to bless others. Don't get me wrong, I love the extra money he can make with his talents. But I am equally thrilled when he randomly fixes a part on someone's dishwasher, or replaces a faucet, or installs baseboards, or repairs a storm door. Over the years I've learned the hard lesson of prematurely offering his talents, so now I always ensure that I have his permission before I offer. But it always thrills my heart to watch my man bless people with his giftings.
- Food. This is one that still challenges me, but I am slowly getting more confident in my kitchen abilities. Have someone round for a meal. Or give them a meal after having a baby or during illness. Or heck...for no good reason at all. Unfortunately in my churches culture, meal-giving is solely reserved for birth, death, and/or illness. The reality is that food can bless someone's heart any day, regardless of the circumstance.
Care to share some ways that you've blessed someone's heart lately?
No comments:
Post a Comment
We'd love to hear from you...