Gift Giving and Receiving (Five Minute Friday)

I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Give.” Write for five minutes; unedited.

I am one of those people who loves giving gifts. There is something so joyful about finding that perfect gift for a family member or friend. This past year I have been blessed by amazing friends that have been brought into my life. My friend CT and I both have birthdays in September. After our birthdays, we were going to a meeting of youthworkers and got their early. CT, myself, and another friend were looking in one of our fave little stores. I thought to myself I need to find CT’s birthday gift. I sneakily looked around the store and found a gift for her. I snuck up to the counter and paid for her gift. I then stuck it in my purse. When we got to the restaurant, I pulled out the gift and gave it to her. She was like, “You little stinker. I was going to buy your birthday gift too. But I couldnt figure out how I was going to do it with you in the store.”

After we finished eating, CT told me that I had to stay in the car while CT and our other friend went back to the store to pick up my gift. I patiently waited for them. CT picked out my gift and gave it to me when they got back to the car. It was an insulated drinking glass and straw with the words “Life’s too short to be anything but happy.” CT told me that it was indeed the gift she had spotted early and that it reminded her of me. It was so fun to give each other our gifts and every time I drink out of that glass I think of my friend and the gift she is in my life.

Gift giving is such a blessing, yet as I look at the world around me, there is so much more I wish to give the world and my “hopefully someday children.” I want to give them safety. I want them to feel safe at their schools and not fear that a gunman is going to come into their classroom. I want to give them a world that is full of God’s justice and God’s peace; a world where there is not violence, racism, etc. I want to give the world peace, love, and hope. And as I wish for a world filled with these things, I know these are things that only God can give us. God gives us love, hope, forgiveness and is the one who can ultimately grant and give peace.

14 thoughts on “Gift Giving and Receiving (Five Minute Friday)

  1. As much as I would love to give my children (ok, they aren't kids any more) a world full of peace, I've come to the conclusion that it's better to teach them how to be at peace in this world–that can only come from a personal relationship with God. In this world, we will have troubles…and our chances of living in a just world are slim to none–but that's ok–God has overcome this world!

    • Anita, that is so true, we need to teach our children how to be at peace in this world and that only can come from a personal relationship with God. Indeed God has overcome this world!!

    • I did have a great Thanksgiving. Hope you did too. That is so cool that you like finding the perfect gift for people too. I love that you get so excited to give your hubby his gift because you cant wait to see him smile!

    • Natalie, thank you! She has been such an incredible blessing in my life this past year. I am so glad we hit it off as well as we did. And it doesnt hurt that I love being around her two little girls as well! 🙂

  2. Ok. I need that glass! Seriously! Mine just broke today and I'm on a quest to find another one…fast! I need something with meaning because its my main watter bottle/cup. My last one was a Starbucks labeled cup. I think I can do better after reading your post. Thanks!

    • It really is the best glass. I wish I could find you one just like it. It really is my favorite glass and I love the meaning on the cup because that is so me! I am glad that you think you can do better after reading my post.

  3. I love gift giving too!!! It tickles me but good when I find the perfect thing for a loved friend or family member and especially so if that person isn't the easiest person to buy for. 🙂 One of my favourite things to give is baked goods because, as I tell my girls, there's lots of love in the stuff you bake and cook for others. This year I'm going to be limited to stove top stuff because our oven is on the fritz. I can't make my special pumpkin muffins 🙁 but I can still make pecan pralines. I made a slew of the muffins and the pralines too to give last year. I suppose I better stock up on pecans…

    • I know exactly what you mean about finding the perfect gift especially if that person isn't the easiest to shop for. Giving baked goods is a wonderful gift idea. There is indeed lots of love baked into goods we make for others. Too bad your oven is still on the fritz but glad you can still bake stove stuff like your pecan pralines. 🙂 Yep, you better stock up on pecans!

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