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Gift-giving philosophy?

One of those topics that always seems to come up is the different ways we show love--the well-known love languages varying from words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.

I'm still figuring myself out, but I think I tend to show my love through gifts and words of affirmation. I LOVE taking mental notes of things people mention in passing and giving it to them unexpectedly. Often times they're not even items that are very costly monetarily but just the mere fact that I am able to meet a need in the other person's life brings me much joy. With that said, if I wasn't inspired or didn't "pick up" on a need in a friend's life, I prefer to just not buy any gift at all and instead resort to a card of (hopefully) encouraging affirmations instead. Might seem a little odd, but I guess it just aligns with the practical side of me.

Apparently many people receive love in different ways than the way they SHOW love. Even though gift-giving is my most active(?) way of showing love, I definitely don't think I receive it the same way. Maybe it's just because I am very particular, but I much rather prefer a card full of affirmations or a couple hours of quality time than an object purchased and wrapped for my surprise. In fact, I think being pressured to open a gift in front of the gift-giver is one of the most uncomfortable situations to be in--I'm not very good at hiding my true feelings haha.


A few days ago I began saying my goodbyes to dear friends who were leaving town and moving on to other things in their lives. One of those was with someone vastLY different than myself, so extreme that we often referred to our relationship as one similar to Paul & Barnabas from the NT. We had so many personality differences and communication issues that for the first five months we were in the same LG, we compLETLY went over each others' heads. It is truly ONLY by GG that our relationship improved and thrived in the latter months, which is why I'm so thankful for our friendship. Sandy and I didn't get along because we clicked or had common interests, but God placed us in each others' lives so we would learn how to love.

I'll miss you Sandy because every time I saw you I was reminded of God's grace, and His power to redeem all failures and mistakes in my life. Thanks for leaving me with a visual reminder so that I will never forget these lessons and promises :)

Love, Paul(a)

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