I know many of us are counting the days down to Christmas — that gift-giving day that out-gives all other days in the year. And if you’re wondering, there are 47 days until Christmas. 4-7.
And yet, not all of us celebrate Christmas.
But gift-giving? It’s a year-round activity, what with birthdays and anniversaries and even “for no special reason” occasions, when we give someone a present, be it extravagant or small, to show a loved one that they are special to us.
We like to find fun gifts. And just-the-right gifts. And unexpected gifts that will surprise the recipient. Memorable gifts. And sentimental gifts. One-of-a-kind gifts.
But what about the giving and receiving of the simple gift of hope?
We know our supply of hope can be exhausted. Depleted. But we can’t go into a store in purchase a bottle of hope. We can’t have a box of hope shipped for free in two days via Amazon Prime. There’s no membership plan that ensures we receive a recurring monthly supply of hope.
When someone shares their hope with us … restores our hope with a word, a prayer, a gentle touch of compassion … that can be the best gift of all.
In Your Words: When has someone refreshed your hope?
In Others' Words: A Simple Hope http://bit.ly/2JKMfBX #quote #hope Click To Tweet 'The gift we can offer others is so simple a thing as hope.' Quote by Daniel Berrigan http://bit.ly/2JKMfBX #hope #encouragement Click To Tweet
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Hope is the gift we receive when we give all the hope that we have away.
Beth, I ask your prayers. It’s like a horror movie, now, and I want to cover my eyes.
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Andrew: You are daily in my prayers. And I know you are weary. But I also know your hope rests in God, and not your own strength.
Praying for Andrew, too. I’m reminded of Emily Dickinson’s line, “Hope is the thing with feathers,” which to me means it is alive, can fly, and lifts us with it to higher and further destinations. It is also a God-given gift that we can’t make happen ourselves, but when we turn to Him . . . flight happens and we’re carried.
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Dee: You’ve now made me appreciate that quote by Emily Dickinson so much more.