Small Gestures
Dear Friend,
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. “ Philippians 2:3 (NLT)
Last month I celebrated my 40th Birthday. As a child, birthdays were acknowledged with a gift and a cake, but birthday parties were far and few in between. I carried the same acknowledgement of birthdays and celebrations into my adulthood. I acknowledged the occasion but I didn’t go all out to celebrate them. Normally, there wouldn’t be a problem with this line of thinking, however, I failed to fully celebrate others on their special day or in their special moments because to me, it called for acknowledgement but not celebration. I always call my friends and family on their birthdays and during special life events but I have not always celebrated them in the way they
should be celebrated.
Last month, several of my friends went out of their way to give me a birthday party with a full home cooked dinner, balloons and decorations in my favorite colors, face painting, and more. When I walked into the party, tears came to my eyes at the beautiful sight and the thought that people loved me and went out of their way to make my day special.
Small gestures make a big impact on others. I’ve learned to celebrate and find ways to acknowledge and be kind to others in a big way. Celebrating others doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Everyone has moments when a friend or family member they haven’t spoken to in a while is constantly on their mind. Take the time to call them. Let them know you were thinking of them. We never know what they may be going through and what hearing from you may do for them. Perhaps there is a widow in your neighborhood whose yard is in need of maintenance. If that is an area you are good in, offer to help her. Maybe you have the money to spare and you’re able to have the yard professionally maintained. Giving a handwritten card or letter to a friend to let them know how important they are to you or to just encourage them shows the love of Christ. Take the time to think of others. Friend, I thank God for each of you and I celebrate you. I celebrate your desire to seek God and your willingness to press each day.
Esteeming you,
Tracye M.
