Nyla Kay Wilkerson

Have you finished your gift shopping? Christmas is right around the corner. For me it seems like one day the leaves were just beginning to turn and then poof….it’s time to wrap Christmas presents. Let’s talk about presents. What is your view on gift-giving? Are you more of a giver or receiver? Which gives you more satisfaction and joy? Perhaps you like both. I do. Giving gifts is a privilege, and getting them is a real treat. I love how it makes me feel to know someone cared enough to spend time on me. I feel loved.

It gives me great delight to choose and buy the perfect gift for people I love. I have a chance to reflect upon that person, his/her life, and our relationship while I peruse a variety of things. A lot of thought and time goes into each purchase. Many times prayer does, also. I strive to make the person receiving my gift surprised and happy, but most of all loved and special. I want them to know that I pay attention to their lives, that they are important.

“I’m not a fan of gift cards…”

That is why I am not a fan of gift cards. Why do people just trade money with each other? In essence, it isn’t a gift exchange. To me it is basically saying “you aren’t adequate to choose something for me.” Gift cards are the most impersonal gifts next to slipping money in an envelope. Harsh words I agree, but it has been heavy on my heart and mind for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for both money and gift cards. However, each and every holiday is a bit too much.

Unfortunately for some, gift giving has evolved into a chore and not an act of love. Not me, I thrive in showing my love through gifts and not gift cards. My spirit is crushed when I hear “let’s draw names to cut down on expense”. Money shouldn’t be a problem in gift giving. There are many gifts that can be made. It really is the thought that counts. One year my son made every gift he gave. That was over twenty years ago and we are still talking about it. Gifts should come from the heart, wrapped in love. They should relate to others that we thought about them during this Season of Miracles and Love. They should let others know how important they are to us, as important as a teacher or mailman. They should build memories, happy ones.

Gifts should not make Christmas stressful. Gifts should make it happier for both giver and receiver. Think about the very first Christmas. “Joy to the World.” Jesus was the gift to us. A miracle gift of love. Sent from God to all of us. He wasn’t sent to make our lives harder or stressful. No, not at all. He was sent as our Savior to set us free! Jesus taught and spread love. He paid our debt and gave us the best gift of all. Eternal life. Yes, I love to give and receive gifts. His gift just happens to be my favorite one. How about you? Have you accepted His gift?

The other morning I felt alone, depressed and lonely, too. It was like I had no one to talk to or understand what trials life was tossing my way. I didn’t want to bother my precious Mother, sweet daughter or working son. I have a sister, but her job is demanding. There was no one. I felt alone and depressed. Can you relate to that feeling?

It was just one of those days. Have you had one? When you felt as my Mom would say “down and out”? It was early so I let my little pooch outside and told him to “make it quick.” As I leaned against the door and watched the sunrise, which was gorgeous, I heard a symphony of birds. Yes, they made me smile despite my despair, but there was a new guy singing that I had never heard. He was serenading me from the Japanese flowering cherry tree which is close to the front door.

Hidden among the flowers I could not see him, but his rapid, shrill sound was clear, a plain two syllable word repeated. His call was a quick two notes repeated four time in rapid fire. It was as if that bird was calling to me saying “sister, sister, sister, sister.” I was mesmerized by his song. “”Sister, sister, sister, sister.” A reminder for me.

Isn’t that just like a loving Father to brighten my day not just with the beauty of a breathing colorful sunrise, but an audio reminder that I am not alone. There is an entire community of Sisters in Christ out there, waiting to talk to me, pray with me, pray for me, and help me. One of my closest friends calls me her SIC, Sister in Christ, and she understands completely what life has thrust at me. All of my cousins, each one, are like siblings to me, too. The majority of which are girls. Abba was reminding me that I am definitely not alone. Not only is He always with me, I have a family and community of sisters and brothers to share my burdens and joys.

With just a phone call, I could talk to my SIC and feel much better, especially after we prayed. My cousin’s were just a call or text away. I could send out an email and the brothers and sisters in Christ on my Facebook list would begin praying. Me lonely? What was I thinking? I am a child of God. I have family as well as many brothers and sisters in Christ along with the most loving Father of all. With God no one is alone and there are no only children. Everyone has more brothers and sisters in Christ than we can count.

John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His name. KJV

1 Corinthians 12:26 – And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. KJV

Matthew 28:20 – “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV

Is it Better to Give, Receive or Both?

“I’m not a fan of gift cards…”

More Family than I Can Count