A Kind Word From His Word

​I'm that girl that looks downright scary without makeup on. Anytime I have tried the more "natural" look, my husband innocently asks if I'm feeling sick. There have only been a handful of times that I have actually gone out in public without makeup. One was when my son had his seizure and another was when I had to have surgery a few years back. That day will always remind me of giving at Christmas. When I think back to the many gifts Mike has gotten me through the years, that Christmas stands out the most to me. It was 6:00am and we were walking into the hospital. Me, without any makeup, hoping we didn't run into anyone we knew and feeling very anxious. As we walked past the gift shop, I noticed the cutest Christmas sign. It caught my eye because it reminded me of my mom, who had recently passed away. The shop was not open yet and soon I was admitted for my up coming surgery. Back in my room several hours later, when I finally opened my eyes after the surgery, the first thing I saw was that little sign hanging on the bulletin board and it brought tears to my eyes. Mike was sitting right next to me, smiling, telling me he loved me and I was beautiful. I had to laugh when I finally looked in a mirror. Anesthesia is not kind to me and my eyes were swollen so badly I looked like I'd been in a boxing match. Not only did my sweet husband go back and get that sign for me, but in my following weeks of recovery as he took care of me, he sat with me and watched every single Hallmark Christmas movie ever made. And he never complained. His gift wasn't something fancy or expensive. His gift was his thoughtfulness, his kind words and his time. This world is filled with people who are hurting. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a minute of your time could mean the world to someone. Your co-worker, your neighbor, the cashier at the crazy, busy store during holiday shopping, these could all be people who feel like they have no hope. You could be the one to change that for them. Let's take a lesson from the One who gave us everything. Our Savior who always thinks we are lovely, despite our unloveliness. Our Savior who always has time for us, who always blesses us with a kind word from His Word, who gave Himself so that we could have the gift of eternal life in Heaven someday. This is the season of giving because of Him who gave us everything. Let's not rush through December~and right past every opportunity He gives us~to give of ourselves. It might just be the best gift someone will ever receive.