‘Tis the season of gift-giving. What will you give to others? Material gifts can be wonderful and bring us much joy, but what about the gifts God has placed inside of you? I encourage you, as you’re doing your Christmas shopping this season, to take a moment and identify the immaterial gifts you already possess and how you can use them to bring others joy, peace, wisdom, encouragement, or even just a smile. I couldn’t have imagined a better time to start a blog than the Christmas season, as this is the season of giving and celebrating Christ.

I’m a bit of a wordsmith. I love words—quotes, lyrics, Bible verses. I love to name things, and I love to write and journal. “Words of Affirmation” is my love language and Words with Friends is still my favorite game.

Some people are gifted in speaking, and if that’s you, consider starting a YouTube channel to reach others. Maybe your gift is listening. Imagine how happy someone in a nursing home would be to have a stranger volunteer his or her time to listen to them.

Whatever your gifts are, I pray that you would use them to bring yourself joy as well as to the service of others.