my grown up Christmas list

gifts,
'tis the season! 
thoughts of them
can easily consume us
and a tight budget or a long gift list
can push us into a frenzy or depression
yet the most costly ones,
the ones with the most value,
are within everyone's budget because money cannot buy them

time
love
grace
kindness
patience
gentleness
compassion
a listening ear
a comforting hug
consistent prayer coverage
and for believers, sharing Jesus and your story of faith

beware, though, there is no one size fits all-
some people need more of one thing than they do of another,
especially at this time of the year-
when the hustle and bustle, 
the pressure of getting "it" right
increase the stress level in lives that are already stressed to the max
maybe, as we go out into a world that is rushing and trying to buy gifts
we could practice freely, lavishly giving the most costly gifts 
it's worth a try

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ...But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ...so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." from Ephesians 2:1-10