For example, right before I moved away from MN about eight years ago, a friend gave me a soft, fitted T-shirt. It was such a sweet gift from someone I had just started to get to know. I still wear that T-shirt to this day.
At this moment I am drinking out of a coffee mug with a cool silicone lid that a teen gave me when I was her small group leader well over five years ago. The hot coffee doesn't just warm my hands, the mug warms my heart far greater.
Recently, a baby-sitter of Jase's watched him for a whole morning. They baked cookies, made crafts, and played together. For Christmas, she gave Chuck and I the best gift in the world. A hand-print of Jase's made into an ornament of baby Jesus' manger! He also colored us a Christmas tree, and his sitter wrote, "Love, Jase". I cried when I opened it.
I have a vivid memory of my older brother's friend giving me a New Kids On The Block coloring book when I was about ten. For some reason my parents didn't want me to have it, and I was crushed. I don't think I even knew who NKOTB were, and I certainly didn't care about coloring, it had just meant a whole lot to me that Josh had given me a gift!
Gifts have always spoken love to me! All growing up, there were many occasions I'd get home from school to find a bag of fun stuff on my bed from my Mom. Often she'd get me tops, pants, jewelry, socks, or anything she knew I would like. I LOVED that so much because I felt incredibly loved by my Mom. I know I will do the same thing for Basye someday, and I can't wait!
Jesus made me this way, and I actually see every gift received as a gift from Him. Every unexpected gorgeous sunset, every bouquet of flowers, every treat at Starbucks, every pair of earrings, every sweater, every candle, every book...it's all from Jesus. He created my heart so He knows.
Since my 34th birthday is coming up on Saturday, today it is my complete JOY to give a gift in Jesus' Name. Whoever receives the package, I hope you feel loved by Jesus and feel His presence in a fresh way. And I hope you feel loved by me, as well! I am so thankful for you readers!
The gift will include, but not be limited to (surprise, surprise!), my favorite book of 2015, and maybe of all time, AUDACIOUS by Beth Moore. (If you did not read my review of Audacious yet, check it out here.) I have also really been into these darling pencil cases lately, so couldn't resist adding this to the package.
***To enter to win, please share the love of this post on Facebook or Twitter, then comment right here on the blog: How do YOU feel loved by Jesus and those close to you the most?
I can not wait to share who the receiver is right here on the blog next Monday, January 11! Jesus and I love you all so much!
17 comments:
Forgot to say happy 34 birthday on Saturday. Hope it is full of blessings.
I feel loved the most when Is m really listened to. I find not many people are good listeners. I know Jesus cares and loves me. He created me and knows my thoughts, feelings and desires. He should be enough.
Happy Birthday girl! And soon to Bayse! I think my love languages are evolving...as a mom I think acts of service are really creeping up. I'm still big on quality time but when Jon does something extra around the house I feel we have more time so I guess they are kind of hand in hand right now!
Put together a message for you on your blog and lost it! Ugh! Happy birthday, Abigail! Enjoying your blog so much!
I feel loved with time. Time with my best friend, listening to her heart and her hearing mine. The phone calls from my mom. The give and take, the ear and the shoulder to speak to and lean on. Laying flat on my face praying to the only God who listens and answers... Your review inspires!
I feel most loved when my hubs of 48 years spends time with me. That includes taking long rides in our red convertible, listening to music, and stopping for ice cream. It means watching Cardinal baseball games while holding hands, it means cleaning the house together, folding laundry together, and more. It means spending time reading the Bible and praying together. It means talking about our children's lives, goals, and plans. It means playing with our grandchildren together. It all gets better as the years go by!
I'm a quality time kinda girl. When someone just wants to hang out with me, my heart fills right up. I couldn't care less what we're doing or even if we're talking.
Happy birthday, Abby! Hope you feel especially loved!
Happy Birthday!
Spending quality time with loved ones and seeing God answer prayer.
Mine is quality time! Love spending time with people.
Mine is acts if service and words of affirmation. :)
Happy Birthday!!! I have seen this book, but honestly had not heard much about it. It sounds wonderful. Shared. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
I feel loved when someone spends time with me and gives me their attention. Jesus is really good at this of course because He always has time for me and doesn't leave me in the middle of my conversation with Him. He just keeps hanging around for as long as I need Him! <3
First-time reader of the blog. :)
Like you, Abigail, my love language is gifts. For some reason, I've always felt embarrassed & guilty about that...like it makes me materialistic or something. But little surprise gifts or cards, no matter how small & seemingly insignificant, have always had HUGE significance for me. Same as you, it makes me feel special. One time, 4 of us got together for a friend's birthday. One of the other girls made little Starbucks mug sleeves for each of us, & filled the mugs with little treats--a $5 gift card to Starbucks, a nail polish & other small gifts that fit into the mugs. You would have thought it was MY birthday--that little surprise gift made my whole week! I still think about it, & that was perhaps a year & a half ago. :)
One other special way that I feel Jesus loving me is through music. I sometimes feel like He plays a song just for me...just so I can hear a lyric that I need to hear. Like a personal message from Him.
Thanks for sharing your heart & your JOY, Abigail. Happy Birthday!
Post a Comment