Recently, I went out for breakfast with my dear friend, Sheri. We discussed our families’ plans for the Christmas holiday and how our large families handle gift-giving. As our families grow and disperse, it can be challenging to know what to give. My strategy has been to start planning and buying earlier, give more gift cards, and let others choose what they want. But Sheri’s take was totally different and blew me away.
Sheri is a devout Christian. The widow of an Evangelical pastor who died young from pancreatic cancer. Her life has been framed in the Bible’s teachings, and I can honestly say I’ve never known anyone stronger. She never strays “from God’s words.” Her approach to the holiday is simple and beautiful. She buys one gift for every grandchild, and with all of the adults, there is an agreement – Do Something for Someone Else, then report back next year at Christmas. Doing something for others can include a wide range of things, such as helping a friend move, running errands for someone, babysitting for a friend, or donating to a cause. It’s up to them to determine how much they want to contribute or how far they want to step out of their comfort zone.
I love this idea of giving our time to someone else at any time of the year. Time is a gift that fits one and all. It’s something we always want more of. So often, I have wished for someone to help me with an extra pair of hands, run errands when I don’t feel well, or sit beside me when I need to talk. Our time is probably the most precious thing we can give to others.
After our breakfast, I thought about Sheri’s advice and asked myself if I was giving meaningful time to others who might need it and, if not, what the gift of time might look like. I was pleased to realize that I do have a habit of making time for others, though admittedly not always in the biggest ways.
Here are just a few examples of giving the gift of your time to others:
Be a Listener—Give the gift of listening to someone carrying a burden, such as sadness, frustration, confusion, or fear. Begin by learning not to just talk about yourself. Practice two-way conversation, and always sincerely ask others how they are doing. I once read that the greatest kindness you can extend to another is to say, “Tell me about yourself.”
Be a Supporter—Give something to support others who labor to do good for the world. Donate to those who need assistance in projects that help provide people with food, shelter, education, medical supplies, disaster clean-up, etc. Give your time by assisting with the work or using your time to help raise money or awareness for these causes.
Be a Partner—Do you know someone who is alone and going through tough times? Consider driving them to doctor’s appointments, accompanying them on surgery days, or bringing them food when they are ill. Help them with a building, painting, or moving project. Let them know they’re not alone.
Be a Bright Spot in Someone’s Day – Surprise the people in your world who provide essential services that keep your community humming. Bring them an unexpected plate of home-baked cookies or a bouquet of cut flowers from your garden. If you garden and have a surplus of vegetables, put them on a card table in front of your house with a sign that says “free.” I promise you someone will take you up on the offer.
Be a Companion—Connect with the elderly in nursing homes and assisted living centers. Drop in with fresh flower bouquets, cookies, or doughnuts. Donate used puzzles (with no missing pieces). Strike up conversations, play cards, and keep them company. Ask them to tell you about their lives. Many people in these homes have no visitors. Be their visitor.
Be a Volunteer—Watch your paper for volunteer opportunities. Sign up to help in different ways: at community events (promotion, set-up, and clean-up), work at a local food pantry, tend a community garden, or help at a local animal shelter.
Be a Steward – Does trash along the highway or a hiking trail upset you? Pick it up. It doesn’t teach better manners to those who leave the trash, but you are helping nature and protecting the beauty of our earth when you help combat trash dumping. Is trash-picking not your thing? Look up what your local park district or conservation organizations are doing. Perhaps they need people to help them burn prairies, plant trees, build trails, and monitor bluebird houses.
Be an Inspiration—Donate art supplies to a school, park district, or community center. Offer to read to children at a library.
Demonstrating how to give our time to others also teaches our children and families compassion and empathy. Jesus simply said it best: “Love one another.” And that’s what Christmas is all about.
For a sweet picture book that promotes giving to others, check out Give by Jen Arena, reviewed under the Recommended Reads section of this blog.
Little Seeds Read 