Meaningful Gifts

Have you ever received a gift that spoke to your heart? 

A gift that when you look at it, it makes you feel loved and cared for?

I have! And I hope you have too. My most meaningful gifts given to me have nothing to do with a price tag, but with the fact that someone thought about what I needed or what would speak to my heart. 

There have been gifts over the years that have spoken to my heart such as:

Worship music: My friend Desi bought me twice out of nowhere worship music that he purchased for me on ITunes. Over the last 2 years that has been the music I go to when I am going through hard moments in life.

Backpack: My two kids, who I used to babysit blessed me with a backpack. When their mom gave it to me she said I would need it for travelling. I had no idea I was going to be traveling that year, I travelled like never before. I wear this backpack everywhere and it has travelled the world with me. It means even more because my two kids chose it. It makes me smile when I wear it. 

Heart key necklace: I asked 3 years ago in my heart to God that whoever was my husband would give me this necklace. My husband, without knowing gave me this necklace when we first started dating. 

Drawn pictures: Over the years I have had teens and adults draw me pictures. For me knowing that someone went out of their way to draw me something means so much to me that I keep all of my drawings.

Photo taken and framed: My really good friend gave me a framed photo she took and this photo speaks to me because in the photo there is a sunlight where two people are walking at the beach and behind them is the sun and it says, “walk in the light.” It means so much to because it helps me feel close to God when I look at the photo.

A little seal: My brother gave me a seal and if you know me you know that my brother means so much to me. I love this seal because it reminds me of him.

A blanket my dad bought me: Every time I used the blanket it reminded me of my dad 😀

Cards written: I have kept all my cards given to me over the years because words mean a lot to me. 

Tiffany’s necklace and bracelet: This story I will save for a blog because it’s a long story but my friend Hannah gave it to me and it means a lot. Not because of the brand but the story behind this. 

Lion paw necklace: My friend gave me this with a card and he said he was giving me this because I was bold as a lion and that is how he saw me.

Bracelet made: God’s girl made by one of my rehab girls where I used to work.

Highlighter bag: My friend Josiah and Katie gave me this and it means a lot because I have obsession with highlighters and colored pens.

When giving someone a gift, focus on the person and not trying to buy the most expensive gift just so you can impress. This Christmas season I had focused on a budget for gifts I wanted to give, and my husband challenged me that rather than focusing on my budget, to get out of my comfort zone, and make the gifts because I am really creative and can save more by doing this.

I am not fully making the gifts from scratch, but this made me sit down and think of what gifts I could give my loved ones, that I knew they would make them feel loved or get them to laugh.

For this Christmas season, I encourage you to sit down and focus on each person you will give a gift to. Ask God to help you with ideas.

I remember when one of my friends was going through chemo, I wanted to give her something meaningful, but I didn’t know what. I asked holy spirit for help while shopping and He came through. When I gave my friend her gift, she absolutely loved it. 

And to end this I would say the most important gift out of anything is knowing Jesus, and accepting him as your Lord and savior. And once you have accepted Him in your heart, to give those who don’t know Him the precious gift of sharing Jesus with them. 

James 1:17 

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

C a p a b l e

So often in life we stop ourselves from doing something great because we don’t believe deep within, we are capable.

What if you had the help to do something great? Would you believe? Would you have the courage in your heart to do what God is calling you to do?

Lately, I have been hearing this, “On the other side of your obedience is other people’s blessings.” I want to be obedient; firstly to bless God and secondly to be a part of seeing other’s blessed. It can be so hard when I start doubting myself and questioning my capabilities.

God is the creator of heaven and earth. He is the One that fearfully and wonderfully knitted us together in our mother’s womb. How is it that we often doubt the one who breathed life into our existence?

As I am writing this, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Moses. My husband and I are currently reading Exodus and in Exodus 4, we see God is asking Moses to do something. Moses doesn’t believe he is capable of doing so, even though God said he would help him. So God sets his eyes on someone who is already walking in how He made them.

Moses 4:10-16 10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

If Moses had chosen to believe God, he would have walked in full obedience even in fear. He would have had the blessing of experiencing that it wasn’t his full capability that allowed him to speak and be understood, but with God’s help, he would have been capable of speaking and getting the message across. In Exodus, as we continue reading, we continue to experience God’s grace over Moses. He uses him as a leader with his brother’s (Aaron) support.

I still wonder what could have happened if Moses would had chosen to trust God with his speech, and would had spoken, fully reliant on God.These are just my thoughts, but we know that God is merciful and no one can stop His plan. 

God comes through for us when we rely on him… 

I remember during my first mission trip to South Africa ,I had the blessing of sharing my testimony several times. Whenever I share my testimony, I prepare and ask for God’s help to know what else He wants me to share. This helps me prepare. During this particular trip, I started to feel guilt, I wanted others to share and to feel included. I did not want them to think that I was the only one doing the talking, so I asked if they would like to do a speech. I assured them that I would share my thoughts at the end if there was time but I was happy to sit back and listen to other people. I felt God tell me not to prepare my speech for this time and I listened.

The time came, and it was time for me to share. I said “God but I didn’t prepare, I don’t even know what to say”… I felt in my heart that I needed to trust God, and wait for him to give me the words, so that’s what I did. As I waited on God, I prayed before speaking and I felt something powerful came over me… I would definitely say my experience was like in Ezekiel 11:5 

“Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me, and he told me to say: “This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.” 

As I began to speak, I saw the emotion on people’s faces and tears fell from their eyes.. I can’t take credit for what God did that day but I know He did something beautiful in those peoples’ lives. Afterwards I was reminded that I am not capable because of how great I am, but I am capable because God is my guide. He is there when I need him the most, when I doubt my capability.

I write all of this to encourage you to step out in faith, trust that if God is calling you, do something and do it knowing you can rely on Him..

God equips the incapable to become capable. –Dayana Shiplett

10 Ways to show your Husband Love

#1 Respect & Trust: A man’s biggest desire in life is respect and a woman’s is love. A woman tries her best to love her husband, without realizing that his biggest desire is respect. The bible even tells us this: Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wifeas he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.I added trust also because trust is in the same category for men as respect. Men do not feel respected when you do not trust them. So, ladies next time you want to not trust your husband or yell at him remember that love for men equals respect.

#2 Sex without conditions: I have heard in the past women manipulating their husbands with sex. Stories such as women keeping sex away from their husband if they don’t get their way. A husband should never have to be punished to go without sex. Now don’t get me wrong if your husband has done something to not want you to lay with him such as cheating, pornography, or physical abuse this is understandable and you both need to seek help. But if this is not the case then remember this: 1Cor 7:3-4 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

#3 Cook and get creative in the kitchen: It has been said that the way to a man’s heart is through his belly so ladies get creative in the kitchen and bless your husband with a nice meal. Besides a nice meal other things your husband will feel loved by you, will be making him new things such as desserts, smoothies, juices, and even tasty salads. 

#4 Share your emotions with him without complaining: Think back to when you were first dating your husband. The way you communicated with him about how you felt was appropriate rather than nagging or complaining. When a woman is first trying to impress a man, she tries not to seem like she is crazy with her emotions but once she gets married she feels like she has the right to act like a psycho with those emotions. Ladies remember yes, it’s okay to share your emotions and feelings with your husband but ask for his advice or a listening ear and do not over complain or take out your negative emotions on him.

#5 Allow him to be the leader: A husband wants to feel like a man and not a child. As women, we love to be helpful and remind our husband of things we believe are important but if we are not careful it can sound demanding rather than a gentle reminder. So, find ways to communicate and make sure he knows that he is the one leading your household.

#6 Remember that you are both in the same team: Don’t ever take what your husband says personal and instead ask questions if you do not understand. Rather than getting frustrated at your husband come together as a team player and find solutions.

#7 Conversations that stimulate him: Be interested in what he is up to whether it’s his job or what he is up to. Ask questions and remember that your husband is not only your husband but he should be your friend to.

#8 Be open to new sexy ideas he wants: Ask your husband what he finds sexy and be okay with asking him to be specific. Share with him you ask because you would like to surprise him with being sexy with the things he likes when he least expects it.

#9 Pray for him and grow spiritually together: The best way to show someone love is to pray for them constantly and to be growing spiritually together. When God is the focus of your marriage he himself will bring you closer together.

#10 Be responsible with your emotions: If you need healing from your past or the now rather than attacking your husband make sure you work towards healing. Guard your mind, heart, body, spirit, and soul through God so that you can be present and loving towards your husband. If you need help by speaking to someone remember that it is okay to go to a therapist.