Hey, have you ever received a gift basket when you were sick? Or maybe as a Christmas present or a birthday surprise?
If you think about it the basket is often the best part of the present. Without the basket, it would just be a grocery bag or a plain cardboard box. Boring and bland! A lovely basket is what makes it special and memorable.
When I was ten years old, my grandma drove nearly two hours to bring me a special basket full of crackers, candy, a puzzle and other cool items. At the time, I was so focused on the candy that I barely even noticed that basket but that was the only part of the gift to survive. The basket was later used to hold flowers or fruit and had long-term value.
I submit to you that compassion is like a basket in our relationships with others and I will explain how in a minute.
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New Book Out!
First, though, I want to make a couple little announcements. First of all, you may have noticed that I changed the look of this blog (again!) Please be patient as I get everything working properly again and let me know if something doesn’t work for you. Thanks!
My second announcement is that I have finally … (drum roll, please!) finished my second book! I first mentioned it on the blog here, almost two years ago. At that time, I falsely stated that it was almost done but alas, it took a wee bit longer! almost two years later, it is finally being issued to the world. Tomorrow is the launch day, or birth date, if you will.
This book is written especially for stepmoms, to encourage them that they do have a lot to offer their stepchildren, even though it is difficult to see sometimes. A stepmom’s offerings are divided into sixteen categories, or gifts that she can give to her blended family.
These are not birthday gifts or Christmas gifts but presents like acceptance, fun, and encouragement. Have a look at the book here, and if you like it, please leave me a review! Your words help let other readers know what they are getting into! Thank you in advance, from the bottom of my heart.
A heart of compassion
So, anyways, back to the basket. Why is compassion a basket? Compassion is the basket, or the holder of all of the other gifts that we can give to others: listening, encouragement, acceptance. When we have a heart full of compassion, it flows out of us and turns into tangible qualities that bless others.
The Bible talks about our “fruit,” which is what our lives produce. Jesus also said that the fruit of our lives comes from what is in our heart. When we have love in our hearts, we do good for others, naturally. If we have unforgivness or hatred or resentment in our heart, it is difficult to naturally want to do good for someone else.
When we can have compassion for others, and understand where they are coming from. When we can let our hearts feel with them, empathasize with them, we will naturally want to give and help them. As stepmoms, compassion is the first step. Understanding where the kids in our care are coming from, and having compassion, is our initial step to connecting with them and makes the other gifts come more naturally.
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