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Today is Epiphany -- the celebration of when the three kings visited the baby Jesus after He was born in Bethlehem. I often wonder why the three kings are included in a manger scene because Jesus was already in Egypt with His parents when they came to see Him. . . but that is not why I used this photo today. . .
Of course, we just celebrated the birthday of Jesus, our greatest gift BUT I wanted to focus on gifts we posses after that very special one.
Some have told me I have a gift of photography , creativeness, working with young children or a number of other things, That might be so . . . today I want to think about how important the gift of listening and time are.
I am not a good speaker because I am a shy person but I know how to LISTEN and make people feel good about their own ideas or ramblings. I feel it is important to listen to people, not just their words but their hearts. In return, I am doubly blessed because listening helps me to grow in wisdom and I can offer a caring heart to others who need just that. It helps me to be open minded and caring. I can focus on their feelings and not how I react to them.
"Let the wise listen and add to their learning." (Proverbs 1:5) is proof that listening benefits the listener as well.
TIME is my other blessing focus. I visit my dear friend Myrl who is homebound after a stroke. She can only say "hi" with great difficulty but still listens well to those who visit. I knew Myrl before her stroke and she was a great story teller. Back then, I gave of my time to listen to her stories. Now, I take the time to share mine with her when I know her only response is a hug with her one non-paralyzed hand or eyes that say "I love you too!" I am going to take the time to visit with her more now that I am retired too. I'm glad I have time to give back to a generous lady who gave so much to me in the past. This is my season to give back TIME to my friend, Myrl. May the time I give her bring sparkle to her eyes and warm memories of times we have shared already.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."
10 comments:
This is wonderful. I had never thought of Epiphany as an opportunity to think of my gifts, per se. I shall do that today and this will remind me to give them freely.
Happy BYB Sunday.
It is a blessing to have someone like you who is always willing to listen.
Happy Blog Your Blessings Sunday!
Loved this post! Giving of our time to others, listening visiting, just being there. I always gain much more from these than the person to whom I gave my time. I know you are blessed each time you visit Myrl.
Mama Bear
Beautiful blessing. I never thought about the Epiphany. As far as historical facts:
The historian must not try to know what is truth, if he values his honesty; for if he cares for his truths, he is certain to falsify his facts. -Henry Adams
Beautiful post Paulie!
What a beautiful post - and especially appropriate for me at this time.
Thank you for your kind comments today and at other times.
Happy BYB Sunday.
Indeed, listening is a great blessing! Isn't it wonderful how you two traded listening time with one another? Happy BYB Sunday!
Some wonderful thoughts--definitely things we should all consider.
We are back from visiting the new grandbaby, and I finally got some thoughts about Epiphany posted in my blog, too.
Nifty post. I did not know that that there was a title for that.
Wonderful blessing... and our best to Myrl.
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