Too Big & Too Personal to Wrap

Ever felt like you have nothing to give a person?
Nothing of value? Nothing that a box and a bow define as speechless?
Some of us may be "looking" for the "next big thing"; we search so often for the "right gift" that we often miss the beauty coated in a warm hug, a friendly smile, a kind word.

I'm a firm believer in what you may call "simple acts." A gift that shiny paper and a gaudy bow cannot match. So frequently, I observe people buying clothes for a friend to celebrate her birthday or a gadget that is up-to-date on the latest technology for a long-time boyfriend. But just imagine, if we gave up these material things that cease to last forever, that lose their special "touch" when they are consumed and instead, gave the gift of laughter, of hope, of humility? Wouldn't the gift of joy for a hurting person be more rewarding and fulfilling than another purse, another pair of shoes, another night out on the town?

I was watching a rerun of a 7th Heaven Epsiode last week. For those who haven't seen this program, Brenda Hampton (producer) highlights the life of the Camdens, a religious family who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. No one is perfect, as depicted with the seven children, a dog named Happy, and a minister who willingly helps all who come his way.

In this particular epsiode, Eric Camden was in Heaven. He was met by an angel who showed him the true lasting gifts. He received the gift of courage and forgiveness for his eldest daughter Mary, in the form of an eraser. These gifts were intricately wrapped and adorned with a bow but the gift inside was truly amazing. Unlike the everyday aspects of life that we take for granted, these gifts targeted a specific area of his children's lives.

What if we chose to give a gift that could not be wrapped?
The gift of

a smile
a hug
a handshake
friendship
listening
humilty
fearlessness
hope
peace
joy
laughter
helpfulness
compassion
forgiveness
understanding

the gift of love?

Imagine what the world would be like if for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, birthday's, or whenever, we gave one of these gifts? What if these gifts were inside us all along and we just nurtured them to become fruitful? Sometimes you may not know how much a person appreciates that hug or willing ear until they share their story with you afterwards.

Just imagine if we chose

to say "sorry" in a heated argument,
to hold a friend when they cried upon your shoulder,
to purchase a meal for a sick friend without expecting anything in return,
to value their opinion more than yours,
to be more interested in their words, their day, their life, than constantly talking about the "things" that happened to you today.

Would our economy be in a better state than it is now?
Would there be more people working?
Would people not have to worry about how they are going to pay the gas, electric and heating bills at the end of the month?
Would there be less racism, less prejudice, less fights at schools?
Would there be more teamwork?
more valuing of opinions?
Would there be more realizing that people aren't perfect and that a way to improve this "fault" is through "simple acts"?

I like to think so.
for, a "simple act" goes a long way.