What To Give?

Today I have been making my list and checking it twice.  Trying to figure out who has been naughty or nice!?  Of course, they have all been nice and are certainly deserving of far more than I could ever give.  I have even wrapped a few gifts.  The process of tying bows and cutting paper brought back to my memory a television show I had watched this week.

In this episode the main character had been very ill and came close to death.  During this time he took "a trip to heaven".  While there he was taken on a tour of the main street and did some Christmas shopping.  The gifts that he had to choose from weren't the traditional ones.  No clothes, toys, or perfume just basic human qualities. 

For his children he choose self esteem not parent esteem.  An eraser for someone who needed forgiveness not only from others but also from their own guilt.  Purpose for a friend who seemed to have lost their way in life.  Dignity, loyalty, respect, and hope were some of the other qualities in his shopping cart.  The most important gift was of course faith.  A personal religious faith that leads to a belief in God.  A faith that  also causes us to believe in the goodness of other people and also in ourselves.  A faith that can cause us to find blessings on even the toughest days.

Yes, I have been thinking.  Perhaps the most important gift that we can give this season doesn't come wrapped with a big bow.  Maybe the goal should be to live a life that inspires others to be their best and then forgiving them when they fall short.  Teaching our children and others (by example) that a life lived with dignity, loyalty, and respect is what is important.  Giving our children wings and self esteem so they can "fly" on their own.  Most importantly living, so that no one ever has to question,  that faith is the greatest gift of all.  Blessings!