No one has posted in this group for awhile so I thought I would share a page from the book, Time Out For The Spirit. I thought it might be helpful with Christmas right around the corner. It is called
"When you're searching for the perfect gift for a loved one. Of course, all of the gifts we give won't be the "perfect" gift but we receive so much joy when we give a gift that a person truely wants.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts.

Reflect: When I was four, my family gathered for a reunion on St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia. When it came time to leave, no one seemed to realize my misery at not being able to stay at the ocean. I felt so happy there.

But I discovered that someone did realize. As Mother, Dad, John and I headed for our car todrive the two hundred miles inland to Macon, Rosa took me aside. Rosa, the large smiling cook, handed me a bag, saying, "Here, missy, this is for you." It was full of beautiful shells--memories to take home with me. Somehow I knew her act of kindness to be much more important than anything I'd yet received.

Rosa was perceptive and willing to go out of her way to make someone else happy. I realized, as I gazed aat the shells throughout my childhood, those were the essential for gift-giving.

Samantha McGarrity

Pray: That's the kind of gift I want for my friend, Father, a gift that will stay with him /her for life.

Do: First ask God for the perfect gift idea for your loved one and listen carefully for clues. If nothing comes, ask others, keeping in mind that what sounds like a bad idea from our limited perspectives, could turn out to be the perfect thing.