Working Within Your Gifts - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

Working within Your Gifts

May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Hebrews 13:21

According to Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, the five ways of expressing love are acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, and receiving gifts.^a I think it’s safe to say that receiving gifts is one of my love languages, which is why I also enjoy giving gifts to others whenever I have the opportunity. For my purposes, “gifts” translate into “gift baskets.”

I love themed gift baskets in particular. For instance, this year I was making several baskets for speakers and leaders at a women’s conference, and I decided to use Hebrews 6:19 as my inspiration, which says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (NIV). I bought personalized, anchor-themed canvas bags; pretty, framed prints of this Scripture; anchor bracelets; and anchor mugs. I even tucked in a bag of popcorn that had an anchor on the front of the package.

What I love about intentional kindness is that so often we can use our gifts and talents to express it. I’m not as good at affirming people through words, and as an introvert, I prefer to spend time alone rather than always spending quality time with others. So acts of kindness centered around words and quality time are a lot harder for me. Giving thoughtful gifts, on the other hand, is something I revel in. The cost itself may be nominal—I can just as easily give someone a gift by passing along a book I read and enjoyed, or by making them my favorite kind of cookies—but it’s the intentional thoughtfulness that matters most.

Scripture says that we are equipped with all we need for doing God’s will, and it’s my belief that there’s no greater way to do that than by utilizing the love language hardwired within us to show love and kindness to others.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Do you know your love language? If not, find out what it is, and then use your love language to show someone kindness.