Sharpening your heart, mind, soul, and spirit
I’ve been wrestling with writing this blog post. I thought I would compose a vlog to tell you about the gift. But that didn’t pan out so well, distractions and procrastination. Each morning I’d come to my diary page, writing down words, sentences, phrases, and scriptures about how I could share the gift and why I choose to purchase a gift for myself. Was the gift even important?
The wrestling began in my mind; I’m not prone to buying myself gifts. So, I had to loosen the critic that said who cares about your gift, everybody buys a gift for themselves. Then I contemplated: does everybody gift themselves with a gift? This reminded me of a story about a woman who buys herself a Christmas present, annually. She goes to the store and picks out an item she has longed for: an expensive purse, a pair of shoes, a bottle of perfume, a day trip to the spa, or a fancy fountain pen. Something she would not normally purchase for herself. She buys it and brings it home. She wraps the gift and then addresses it to herself. She places the gift under the tree with the other gifts for her family. On Christmas morning, everyone exchanges their gifts. The exchange goes something like this: from mom to son, daughter, and husband; from dad to wife, daughter, and son; from daughter and son to parents; from sister to brother, and from brother to sister. You get the picture.
When all the gifts have been exchanged, there is one gift that has been strategically placed behind all the others, purposely to be opened last. Mom reaches for her gift and she reads the label: “From Me to me, you are the gift.” She opens the gift slowly and with great surprise, although she knows what’s inside. Why does she treasure her gift to herself? Whatever that gift may be.
Why give me a gift?
The birthday gift I purchased for myself a month after my birthday sat unopened on my coffee table for a week before opening it, although I knew what was inside.
What’s inside this beautiful package?
So, I thought a little longer, wrestling with my buying myself a gift and sharing my gift in a blog post. Let’s think about it: we give gifts to each other, we give gifts to God, and God gives us gifts. We give gifts to each other to show appreciation, to express love, to celebrate a momentous occasion, or just because. We also give gifts to God to show appreciation, to praise him, and to celebrate the “inexpressible, unspeakable wonderful gift” he has given to us. And God gives to us the gift of salvation, righteousness, and his grace.
If I’m sharpening my mind, I have to learn to appreciate me. If I’m sharpening my heart, I have to show love to me. If I’m sharpening my soul, I must have the courage to be who God made me to be. And if God delights in me, then I too shall delight in all that he has given me with a thankful heart, appreciative spirit, and a gift for me. After all, God’s Word reminds us, to praise Him because He made us “fearfully and wonderfully” (Psalm 139:14). And the love I show myself is neither selfish, prideful, or boastful but a moment to tell God thank you for shaping and loving me.
And what was so beautiful about this gift to me, was the process. The gift was a custom-made leather journal crafted specifically for me.
I spotted Tasha on Instagram, paper marbling, and binding and stitching handmade journals. I’m a diary-keeper, keeper of memories in diaries, notebooks, and journals. And during all the years I’ve journaled my one requirement is paper quality. And maybe the way the journal fits in my purse or lays on my lap. When I discover a journal I like, I buy at least six of them. My last purchase was $4.99 at AC Moore before they went out of business. Therefore, I thought, I should treat myself to a custom-made diary. I’ve never had a custom-made dress or a coat. Each car I’ve owned, six thus far has been bought off the lot.
And the process involved my favorite colors, type of paper, quote, or saying. Even my purpose for journaling. Step by step Tasha included me in the process of sending videos and pictures of threads, paper, and colors. I was overwhelmed. Probably why I waited so long to open my gift.
The choices for custom design, end sheets, and threads to match the cover.
A handwritten letter, a writing prompt, a bookmark, my favorite quote, the finished product with red thread and creamy unlined pages. I can lay it on my lap or stick it in my purse.
The writing prompt asked me to write about what I saw, heard, and felt the first time I ever looked out a window? I can’t wait to play with this idea, dig deep into my memory to remember. And the next prompt suggest I explore the season I am in. How apropos, I am truly in a new and unexpected season of life as a seminarian.
And this gift reminded me of the second and next greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39. Mark 12:3; Luke: 10:27, John 13:34-35, John 15:12). Tasha is my Instagram neighbor and I loved supporting her craft and her business.
What about you? What gift have you given yourself? How are you loving yourself and your neighbor?
Until next time,
Angela
Due to to the virus, I haven’t been to the store to purchase anything for myself other than food. I have been writing a thank you letter to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the morning while I’m having my breakfast. I have been truly blessed. I think him for what he had done, I thank him for what he’s doing now, and I thank him for what he’s going to do. However when I decide to go shopping for material thanks again I will buy something I really like. That was a wonderful wonderful idea. Maybe I will buy it and save it for my Christmas present.
To buy it now as a Christmas present for later. That is a blessing and a gift of time and patience.