But what makes me a gift?
?
There has never been anyone else exactly like you.
?
The people who love you could not imagine life without you.
?
The world is richer, because you are in it.
Stand in front of a mirror, or open the selfie camera on your phone.
Wriggle your body a bit, relax,
let go of tension, close your eyes.
Take a deep breath in…
and slowly out.
Open your eyes and
look at yourself in the mirror.
As you breathe, silently repeat:
“I am a gift. Made with love.”
Do this for just two minutes.
or awkward – but over time,
your mind begins to believe
what your heart has
always known.
You are worth love.
(honest)
This is a true story about a woman called Sue – she didn’t feel much like a gift, she felt lost and lonely and forgotten. Sue’s friend helped her to feel seen and valued.
Here’s something to try today: tell a friend, family member, or colleague that they are a gift to you.
You might be surprised by how much joy that little sentence can spread.
Sometimes the world feels more and more fractured, and everyone more and more isolated from one another.
In a world that often makes us feel disposable, community – like the kind you might find in a church – is precious.
If you’ve never stepped into a church, maybe think of it like this: a group of people holding out a wrapped present, saying, “We’d love you to be part of this too.”
Where do you go to get your Good News?
Some things are best done together. Here's an affirmation practice for you to try.
Gather with a friend, family member, or community group – people you know relatively well.
Each person names one thing they value about the other.
Then pause, and simply receive it – no deflecting, no brushing it off.
It’s amazing how powerful it is to hear someone else call out the gift they see in you. And equally powerful to speak it over someone else.
Who are Methodists?
This story has been brought to you by The Methodist Church.
So you might be wondering – who are Methodists?
At their heart, Methodists believe that each person is made by God with love, that God loves you unconditionally – no strings attached, and we’re called to share that love with others.
That’s why you’ll often find Methodists running foodbanks, standing up for justice, singing joyfully, and welcoming all people into community.
We are healthiest and happiest when we are connected. Study after study shows that people who have community – friends, neighbours, groups to belong to – are more resilient, less anxious, and more fulfilled.
Community is like a safety net and a springboard: it catches us when we fall, and it lifts us when we’re ready to grow.
Sue discovered she is a gift, church is a gift, and that Jesus is the gift that changes everything.
Like Sue, you don’t have to rush. You don’t have to pretend. You can simply say, ‘Yes, I’d like to know more.’
When someone offers you a gift, at some point you choose: Will I open it?
Faith is a bit like that. Saying yes to God isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s simply opening your heart to the possibility that God might just be closer than you think.
Sue discovered she is a gift, church is a gift, and that Jesus is the gift that changes everything.
Sometimes our spiritual practices help us best if we do them regularly, and reflect on them too.
Take a walk, sit with a journal, or pause with a cup of tea. Then ask yourself: Where did I notice love today? Where did I feel cared for?
Love often shows up in small, ordinary ways – a smile, a text message, a helping hand.
Christians believe those are glimpses of God’s love breaking through. Whether or not you believe that, they are moments worth treasuring.
Want to try a simple way of connecting with God?
Here’s a 5-minute practice.
Find a quiet place.
Close your eyes.
Whisper, “God, help me to know your love today.”
Sit in stillness for a few minutes.
You don’t need special words.
Just honesty. And an open heart.
Sometimes the gift of prayer is simply realising you’re not alone.
Even if you’ve never thought much about Jesus, most Christians would describe him as a gift – a gift freely given who has totally turned our lives upside down, a gift who goes with us into all the highs and lows of life.
It’s the
journey
not the
end.
Our friends at Shoreline Methodist Community are running an online church service that’s open to anyone – whether you’re more Christian than The Pope or whether you’d usually avoid anything religious with a barge pole.
You are welcome. We’ll celebrate the Christmas season together and continue to explore the theme of gifted.
