VJG 07-08-11 Patience, Kindness, Understanding, Acknowledgment and Praise

VJG   07-08-11  Patience, Kindness, Understanding, Acknowledgment and Praise

I can hardly believe that it's been two weeks since my last blog post.  Yes, my friends, it's sad to say that I've lost some of my giving focus lately but since I am unemployed and our family income has been reduced considerably, I've felt I needed to take care of business at hand.  I've been applying for jobs, making more of my "ribbon pretties", and getting everything ready so that I can sell them online and at craft shows.

My giving hasn't stopped completely however.  In the midst of the flurry of activity lately, I've given simple gifts.

-- My husband somehow threw his back out and has been in intense pain for more than a week.  My gifts to him have been patience, kindness, understanding, and assistance with loving hands.  Driving him on trips to the chiropractor has freed him to "sit back and relax and leave the driving up to me."  Usually we share the dinner making duties but lately I've done it all.  (I don't think he meant to throw his back out, just so he could avoid emptying the dishwasher!)

-- A very patient graphic designer named Brandi (http://www.etsy.com/shop/sissyfrissys) has been helping me to design a cute theme for my Etsy shop and website page.  Several rounds of communication have resulted in her finally being able to start on the actual design. My gifts to her have been compliments and gratitude for her patience while working with me.  Since we're having family come to visit these next two weeks so I'm anxious to get my online shop, theme, listings, etc. all in order.  When she told me that she needed to deal with something that came up in her home yesterday, I gave her the gift of understanding and patience.  I told her my order can wait while she dealt with the situation.  All things come to those who wait, right?  Well, with all the patience she has given me dealing with all the thoughts and questions whirling through my brain lately, gifts of patience and understanding back to her are the least I can do.  She's been so good to work with.

-- Our waitress enjoyed my sincerity the other day when we chatted about the possible meaning of her name.  I told her that her name "Christina" made me think it meant "little Christ girl".  You could just tell from the broad smile on her beaming face that she seemed to enjoy the idea that she was "a little girl made in Christ's image."

-- Also, sometimes (like lately) when I feel like I haven't been giving as much as I would like, and when I have no idea what to give or who to give it to, I go to our 29 Gifts website and read people's blog posts, leaving them with sincere comments of acknowledgment and praise for a job well done.  That one simple gift sometimes even results in another new friend who is on the giving journey too! 

I wish you well, my friends!

Valerie