The Gift of Presence

A recent survey indicated, “Half of all parents try to get everything on kids’ holiday wish lists, no matter the cost.”  

I hope their kids have more realistic holiday wish lists than I had when I was young. In the days of Sears catalogs (OK, so I’ve been around awhile…), I remember going through page by page and listing everything I thought was even remotely intriguing. Would I like a Barbie, play horse, child-sized guitar, or ballerina outfit? Maybe I could discover “hidden talents” if I received my own ventriloquist “dummy” or professional artist’s paint set? Sure! Put them ALL on the wish list…

My family likely would not have had money for Christmas dinner if my parents had purchased everything on my wish list. (And I am quite certain those particular talents would have remained hidden regardless of the gifts I received…they are, in fact, still in hiding.)

Today, most of my holiday shopping is complete, with packages resting festively under the Christmas tree. Admittedly, I have had “sleigh-loads” of assistance from my personal “elves” (14-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son). And because our kids do NOT get everything on their wish lists, our pile amounts to more of a molehill than a mountain.

But lately, I have been pondering the gift-giving tradition. I love purchasing and wrapping items that I know will bring smiles when they are opened, either because they are needed or appreciated, or because I have done a good job of teaching my kids to express gratitude even for things they may not need or appreciate.

What are the best presents we can give our children? Expensive ones? Those they have wanted forever, or at least for as long as it took to add them to their wish list? The presents everyone else is getting?

If you read my last Social Incites™ article (11/9/16: Upside Down…or Right Side Up?), you know that my little Noah was battling a life-threatening bacterial infection earlier this month. Together, he and I spent ten days in isolation in the hospital, waiting and praying day and night. He received many generous presents which encouraged him and helped pass the time (activity books, PlayDoh™, Lego™ sets, children’s Bibles, etc.). But the most valuable gifts ended up being the gifts of “presence.”

• God’s presence was evident throughout the entire journey, even when we were “walking through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23).
• Your presence through prayer, comments on Facebook, or emails, whether or not we have ever met you in person, or where you are located, lifted us, encouraged us, and carried us through.
• Noah insisted on my daily (and nightly) presence, and I was more than happy to be there to hold him, pray with him, and play with him.

How can we be more “present” with others on a day-to-day basis? It can be difficult, especially during the busy holiday season. But there are people in our families, neighborhoods, and communities (including our online communities) who need someone to be there for them. We can pray for them, encourage them, listen to them, sit with them, do chores for them, laugh with them, cry with them…

The gift of “presence” cannot be purchased or wrapped. But I am learning that it is more valuable, and often more cherished, than anything that will ever require hard-earned cash, a loan, or credit card debt.

I am guessing that even if “the gift of presence” is not yet written on your loved ones’ wish lists, it would be at the top if they saw it in a catalog! I hope you will consider giving it to those on your gift list this year. I know I am looking for ways to be more “present” with others in the days ahead! Please consider writing a comment on our Social Incites Facebook page to share ideas and encouragement with others!

​(UPDATE for all our prayer warriors: God is SO good! Noah came home on November 13, and one week ago, he finally had test results that were close enough to normal that he is back to school full-time! We are so thankful to God for complete healing, and to all of you for your prayers and words of encouragement! You can still follow Noah’s Testimony on Facebook.)