Recently I read a post on Facebook concerning giving children gifts of time not toys.  It suggested movie tickets, an afternoon of bowling, a day trip to the zoo and things that need an adult companion taking time to be with them.

Considering Christmas is just weeks away I would like to expand on those thoughts and ideas for people of all ages.

It is often said that TIME can be spelled LOVE.  This is very true.  The best way to show our love is to give of ourselves just as Jesus gave Himself for us.  The Bible says we are to love one another and serve one another.  Here are a few suggestions of ways to give TIME/LOVE to others around us!

This world is a busy place and each of us go through the week often wondering where did the time go and how will everything still left to do ever be finished so reaching out to others can be a real stretch.

The week doesn’t look like that to older people as they often wonder if there will be a card in the mail so they know someone was thinking of them.  Sometimes they just wait for the phone to ring to hear a friendly voice.  Television gets old after a while and visits are bright spots in long days.

Send a text, better yet an email, better yet a card in the mail, better yet a phone call but best of all just go for a short visit.  Doesn’t have to be a birthday or because someone is sick.  Just go and visit.  Maybe even take them a milkshake if their health allows it.  They may even want to ride out to get that milkshake or lunch.

Could you call a single mom or dad and ask if there is any way you could be of help to them – spend some time with the children at the park, take them some treats that possibly are not affordable on their budget.  Maybe her car has a minor problem you could work on or the lawn needs mowed or a bicycle needs repaired.

Offer to sit with a homebound person while the caregiver takes a much needed break.  Let’s not forget to go see those in the senior care centers or the hospitals.

Pick up someone that doesn’t drive anymore and take them shopping or to pick up their prescriptions.  And speaking of prescriptions, an excellent gift is to give a gift card to a store that not only has groceries but a pharmacy and gas pumps.  The card can be used for whatever – food, medicine or gas.  What a blessing these cards can be to those on a limited income.

Have a day of shopping and errands to do?  Call someone to see if they want to ride along.  Is it a sunny day and you just want to be out in God’s great Creation?  Invite someone would like a day outing too!

But back to how to actually put this is to Christmas gifts.  All the above are usually spontaneous and can be done all year BUT making them a give by giving them a “coupon book” for any of the above, like an “expect a call from me once a week” coupon or once a month coupon.  Could be a coupon for a monthly visit.  However, there is a danger here.  Do not under any circumstances make a coupon for anything that you aren’t going to commit to and follow through.  Part of the joy of the gift is looking forward to it happening and then enjoying it when it does happen.

I am sure many of you have lots of good ideas to add to this starter list.  Please comment either on the blog or Facebook so we can all find at least a few ways to reach out to others this Christmas in very loving and practical ways.

When we give of ourselves we are blessed more than the one we hoped to bless.

Acts 20:35   New Living Translation (NLT) 

³⁵ And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  

Hebrews 10:24   New Living Translation (NLT) 

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to  

acts of love and good works.