This is the season for gift exchanges. But isn't that an oxymoron?
- A gift is something given with no expectation of anything in return.
- An exchange is when I give you something, you give me something back.
I've had times where I've given friends gifts at Christmas and not received one in return and it hurt a bit. You too? Whew. Nice to know I'm not alone.
Jesus had a few thoughts about giving: In Luke 14 he says, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid."
What? I'm not supposed to get something back?
A number of years ago a friend of mine gave a secret scholarship so a writer could attend the Mt Hermon Christian Writer's Conference. She says it's a treasured memory, primarily because she gave it without any possibility of the person giving anything in return. Hmmm, I think there's a lesson here.
Dying To Self
When we truly die to self or maybe better said, fully align ourselves with Christ (not not the easiest task) we're able to give from a full heart with no expectation of what will come back to us. There is such freedom and joy in that!
An Idea
No matter how long you've been on this writing journey, there are people ahead of you. And no matter how short, there are people behind you. So go crazy, and take a moment to tell that person ahead of you how much they have inspired you. That is a significant gift.
Then turn around and take a moment to tell that writer a few paces behind you how you believe in them, and to grab onto hope and never let go. That too is an incredible gift.
Because deep inside, whether we're a bestseller, or are just starting our first novel, we are an insecure lot who wonder if we matter, wonder if we have worth. And the gift of encouragement we can give each other is worth more than gold.
TWEETABLES
You're a Lousy Gift Giver (And So Am I) by James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)
I'm not supposed to get something back?~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)
Take a moment to tell a person how much they have inspired you~ James L. Rubart (Click to Tweet)
James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older
man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and
dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys
they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He's the
best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award
winning author of eight novels as well as a professional speaker. During
the day he runs his branding and marketing company which helps businesses,
authors, and publishers make much more coin of the realm. He lives with
his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com
