The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Give The Gift Of Time

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

December 18, 2019

Why is time the hardest thing for us to give?

My daughter told me more than once this fall that she didn't want any presents for Christmas. All she wants is someone to give her a day or two to help finish some odds and ends around her home.

It seems that I have heard teenagers and young children as well as spouses and adults say the same thing.

Children want to play games with their parents, or they want to do something with their parent when they come home.

Grandparents long to spend time with their children and their grandchildren, Janet Shinkle said this week, it was the best gift she's received.

The problem is, no one has figured out how to wrap it, and how to actually give a gift of ourselves. It is easier to stick some money in a stocking or just send a card, or let someone else take care of it.

I think it would be really clever if a father or a mother, wife, or husband would actually wrap themselves up and stick a bow on their head and say-"You've got me for a day!:whether it's for playing games, working around the house, going for a day trip or whatever: I'm yours!:That's your gift!"

I wonder what the reaction would be.

Being alone at Christmas must be one of the hardest things, especially after losing a loved one.

In the first book of the Bible, the creation story is told in Genesis. After God created Adam and all the animals it says in the New International version, Chapter II, verse 18: "The Lord said, It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him."

So after God had created Adam and said it was not good for him to be alone, God created woman - a suitable companion to share his life with.

I have read commentaries that pointed out that it wasn't Adam who proclaimed that he needed help or someone to share a life with, it was God who said Adam needed:a companion, a helpmate, and friend.

I think that is why the best gift we give another at Christmas - and all year long in fact - is the gift of time (companionship).

You really don't have to wrap up yourself-a personalized gift certificate would do it. It might be your least expensive and most rewarding gift you could give at Christmas.

Several years ago I read an article put out by the University of Illinois Extension of some very good thoughts for us to consider in giving time in a variety of ways.

For instance:

• Give an hour or more each week to do an activity of a child's choice.
• Visit older friends or relatives just to talk and offer to help with repairs or some household chores.
• Schedule a time each day to read to young children or to play a game
• Call or visit a shut-in throughout the year
• Block-out dates on your calendar to spend with each of your family members.

There are endless possibilities. If distance is a problem, give the gift of a phone call, an email, homemade videos, snapshots and a letter on a regular basis.

Volunteer your time to an organization, nursing home or hospital. This can be given to honor or thank others for their time.

You might be surprised how much joy you have given and even more, how much joy you will receive by thinking of others in a personal way rather than dwelling entirely on your own to-do-list.

It's easy for work, our hobbies, school activities, even our healthy work-out seasons or clubs and meetings to get in the way of giving some of yourself regularly to your family members who you say you love. Remember, actions speak louder than words.

The time you spend with them will be remembered far longer than a purchased gift or the money you give them.

Think about where you invest your time and if you can rearrange it to help brighten someone else's day.

Make out your Christmas list. See who you can show the compassion of Christ to by giving a little of your time.

Brighten a child's day with some fun. Nurture a lonely relative or friend. Visit someone who has been sick or shut-in and offer to help do a chore,

Call your parents, your children. Take your spouse somewhere for the day. Surprise the grandkids with a visit.

You will have to change your routine, give up some habits, but if you are wanting to celebrate the biggest and best birthday of the season God's way, you will follow His example.

Doesn't God say, "I am with you always, even until the end of the world" Matthew 28:20.

It's the gift of time!

Dessa Rodeffer

Quill Publisher/Owner