The Gift of Self

It is a gift which fulfills all that a Christmas gift should fulfill.

When I think about the gifts that have meant the most to me they range from the cards written by students to the stone washed, paint splashed, zipper up the back jeans my mom bought me one Christmas (long after that fashion failure had left the racks of department store for good). That Christmas Mom had almost nothing to work with in the way of finances. She had put away something small each month throughout the year. As always, she set aside her own wants, and stretched the Christmas savings fund. She raided  The Dollar Store and Goodwill, thinking of both the needs and (what she thought were) the wants of her children. I remember opening gift after gift of out of date thrift store clothing. My 8 year old heart filled with disappointment (and I actually remember thinking 'couldn't she have just gotten one good present instead of ten bad ones'), but I somehow had the wisdom to show gratitude to Mom and her best efforts. I knew then, and know increasingly with every year that passes, that my mom loves me beyond what I can understand. She prays for me daily. She forgives my impatience and selfishness as she works at having a close relationship with me. She continues to sacrifice for my comforts. She is elated when I am happy and distraught when I struggle. It does not matter what her gifts are, I always feel the love behind them. That love is far more powerful than the 'perfect' present. 

So sometimes the gift of self comes in the form of a thoughtful and heart felt card. Sometimes it's stopping amid the business of tasks and check lists to help someone in need. Sometimes it's praying on behalf of a loved one. Sometimes it's spending time with a friend. And sometimes it's the 'wrong' gift with the right intentions. 

Whatever it is that I give this Christmas I want to emulate the Savior in offering my best with a heart filled with love.