Hey Blog Friends! Over the course of the next two months I’ll occasionally be featuring books written by some of my friends–books I think you’ll love. Consider these books “the latest and greatest”. And here’s the best part: I’m giving you a chance to win each of these books, too (who does’t love a free prize?!) All you have to do is leave a comment below and the winner will be chosen at random.
Today I’m sharing my blog with Glynnis Whiwter who co-authored today’s give away book, Everyday Confetti, along with Karen Ehman. Glynnis and Karen are friends of mine from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Karen and I met several years ago when we both spoke for the national Hearts at Home Conferences. Together they’ve written a great resource for making everyday a party day. Everyday Confetti is your year-round guide to celebrating holidays and special occasions. It’s sure to be a fun read with Valentine’s Day just around the corner!
So, take it away Glynnis….
Hope For Those Who Don’t Do Fancy
Glynnis Whitwer
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 (NIV)
I’m not a spontaneous or particularly fancy person. Some people I know are, and their creativity amazes me. They whip up a gourmet dinner from leftovers in the fridge and what’s in the cabinet. They create craft projects out of dried macaroni, spray paint and shoe boxes. They can think of birthday party games, favors and food that leave the celebrant feeling like a million bucks.
Not me. Ask my kids.
I’m thankful four out of five have summer birthdays and we have a pool! Cut up a watermelon, order pizza and voila!
It’s not that I didn’t care. Or that I didn’t want to do more. But for so many years in my early parenting, I was overwhelmed with managing a job, home and very active children. Plus I bought in to the idea that my celebrations had to look a certain way. Since I didn’t possess any creative skills, I always felt like a party-failure.
It was years later I realized most people don’t really remember all the whoopla of a big party. There might be some shock-and-awe at first, but when the streamers fall and the balloons droop, people are more apt to remember moments inside those events. For example, at my 8th grade graduation, the only memory I have is of my older sister fixing my hair. Granted it was a long time ago, but her loving gesture meant the world to me.
People just want to feel loved. Remembered. Noticed. Valued.
That’s how we were designed. We were created with a heart and soul to receive love by a loving God so we could have a relationship with Him. In fact, loving God and each other is our highest calling. The Bible says it this way, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
Jesus said this, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12, NIV). The New Testament shows that Jesus loved His disciples by spending time with them, and caring about them deeply. He didn’t need anything fancy to show His love.
Fancy’s not wrong. Some people show their love through their creativity. And I applaud them. But for those of us who walk out of a craft store crying because we can’t figure out which tie-die kit to buy, maybe a simpler option is more our style.
Maybe for some of us, we need to remove the self-imposed unrealistic expectations. Maybe we need to focus more on showing love rather than having our centerpieces match what we saw on Pinterest.
I’ve learned that it’s often the little things that speak love to my friends and family. It’s sitting outside at that summer pool party and watching the silly jumps off the diving board. It’s abandoning the dishes to play a board game. It’s an impromptu potluck dinner with friends on paper plates.
While I’ll still try to make things pretty and creative, it’s not my focus. My goal every day is to show love to my friends and family somehow. I may not always accomplish that goal with perfection, but I can come closer to it with God’s help than I’ll ever be able to pull off a spectacular birthday party.
So what about you? Share a tip for making your loved ones feel special by leaving a comment below–or even just your name–for a chance to win a copy of
Everyday Confetti.
I leave a message on my husbands voicemail at work each morning to tell him how special he is or thank him for something he has done or just to let him know I love him and to have a nice day. That way when he gets to work it will be the first thing he hears. Love Proverbs 31!!!
Love it!
I’m the creative type who loves planning parties. I get excited about the decorations, games, etc., but also realize there is so much more to a party than that. Something we’ve started this last year is words of affirmation for the birthday person. It’s such a neat time to encourage the one we are celebrating.
Oh I love this idea! Simple and meaningful, too!
Would love to get this book for free to discover how to “love” on others in a way that they will remember me!
PICK ME!!!!
I find myself feeling the same way. As my kids are growing up, it is becoming harder and harder for me to be creative with their parties. I am dating a very special man who is very social. He loves to have people over for impromptu gatherings and I feel the anxiety and pressure to put together something better than I did before. I would love to read Everyday Confetti to help me with the social gatherings of my family. Even if I don’t win this free book, I will have to find a way to purchase it! Thank you 🙂
Terri, I’ll pick the winner in a few days, but if by chance you don’t win you can get the book on Amazon :).
I am so excited to see what books you recommend and share with us! If the first is any indication, its going to be awesome! As I plan my daughter’s 8th birthday party this week (and was looking on pinterest last night at some amazing ice skating birthday cakes!) I am particularly struck by the message in this post. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for giving me a beautiful pick me up. Just when I get frustrated about something, you seem to have the right post to give me some perspective. You are a gift!
Awww..thank you :)!
I love writing notes on the baggies I pack lunches in. I will put a little love note to my husband on his cookie bag. He loves it!!
Great idea!
Spending time together with family and friends can be very special. They don’t care or remember what I wore, what we ate, how my house looked. I think you get the picture. If I think I am having a horrible hair day, no one notices. I think we sometimes put these unrealistic expectations on ourselves that nobody could live up to.
I like to bake, and keep note of friend’s favorites. When someone visits, I whip up a batch of their favorite treat.
We started a “Blessing Jar” and we put notes about special memories, happy times, etc. in the jar and we will read it at the end of the year and live all those memories again!
Love this idea!
Doug always kisses me goodbye before he lives the house.
I keep a list of those who need prayer, or maybe just a hello..I write at least two or three personal notes each day and mail them…kind of old fashioned, but those who receive them say they feel blessed to receive such a personal touch–inspired by God to be sure!
For my daughter’s birthday, we cut out 5×5 pieces of white cardstock and gave two to each of her friends. They used markers and colored pencils to decorate the cards and they wrote a birthday wish for her on one and what they think is special about her on the other. It was amazing to read all the beautiful wishes and lovely thoughts these girls shared with her. Thank you for the reminder that we all need to feel loved and how important it is to affirm each other.
Would love to read this book!! If you recommend it, Donna, I’m sure it is great. We just celebrated Christmas Friday night with our son, Bryan, as he was traveling in Europe, India, and Nepal for the last 3 months. And he loves the decorations. i sent him photos of our house per his request while he was traveling. And i left our Christmas tree up to surprise him so when he got home all his gifts were under the tree waiting for him. The whole family went out to dinner and he told us about his travel experiences as we dined. Then we all came home and he opened his gifts. I know he felt loved and special!
Since our days are so full, I make sure to save time for bedtime back rubs for my boys. That’s when they open up and talk about their day and what’s on their minds. Something about being in the dark gets them to tallk! Sometimes it’s deep and meaningful other times just sweet and silly. But either way, it’s moments I’ll always treasure.
All I can say is “thank you” … I read just what I needed in my heart! Our family is going through a difficult time. We received a handmade card from a friend, a short note and prayer. All were appreciated and needed. A beautiful photograph of a butterfly double matted on a white card. Very pretty, but the words on the inside were the most precious. I want to give others that blessing!
wow-your comment on how impact of a simple homemade card that contained just the right words was such a great reminder about what;’s really important–communicating love and caring. Thanks for your comment!
I like to leave notes for my kids in their lunch boxes or make their favorite food. 🙂