Aleta Harris - The Blessing of Simple Gestures: Nourishing the Relationships That Brighten Our Days

The Blessing Of Simple

Gestures

Nourishing the Relationships

That Brighten Our Days

The Blessing of Simple

Gestures

Nourishing the Relationships

That Brighten Our Days

Aleta Harris

2019 Aleta Harris

The Blessing of Simple Gestures

Nourishing the Relationships That Brighten Our Days

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018966993

ISBN 978-1-400325030 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-400325047 (Hardbound)

ISBN 978-1-400325054 (eBook)

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To my treasured friends.

You inspire me, encourage me, challenge me, comfort me,

make me laugh, and share my love of life.

I cant imagine what my world would be like without you.

Im into encouragement. Im always the one clapping loudest when someone is running hard for the prize. You can hear me yelling, Great job! or, Im so proud of you! There is power in the gift of encouragement, and if you will indulge me, I would like to share with you some unique ways to deliver it.

I love it when someone expresses joy over a card or gift that I have given. A friend recently told me she has every card or note I have given especially to her. She says she periodically spreads them out on the table and finds renewed encouragement as she is reminded she is loved, valued, and that her life has purpose.

Every gift, card, or brief note is an opportunity to share what is in my heart as I celebrate birthdays, holidays, and just because times with friends and family.

We each have unlimited opportunities to lift spirits, celebrate the race of life, bring smiles to tired and discouraged souls, and remind people they are not invisible or forgotten, because people need to be reminded that they are remembered, loved, appreciated, and valued.

It is for that same purpose that you picked up this book. You want to make a difference in someones life by making every gift, every card, meaningful and remembered as it encourages its recipient.

So let these ideas inspire you to creativity and bring your spirit of encouragement to life. The world needs you!

Aleta Harris

Contents

We are careful to cover the things we cherish and want to preserve. I pray that this table cover will remind you that you are covered by:

Gods great grace. He delights to pour out His undeserved blessings on us.

Gods tender mercy. He is pleased, not to give us what we deserve, but He tenderly gives to us extravagantly.

Gods peace and joy. It is indeed a peace that passes all human understanding and a deep joy that no one can take from us.

Gods promise. His promise never changes and it keeps us focused in a world of many distractions.

Gods profound love. Who can understand it? It is too big, too deep, and too wide to comprehend, but we cling to it in this life and will continue to do so in the life to come.

So, my friend, you are well covered by a God who cherishes you and protects you. Be blessed on this, your special day. Happy Birthday!

Suggestion: Attach this to a gift of a tablecloth or any decorative covering. It can be adapted for birthdays, Christmases, or just-because gifts.

As the years pass, I cherish even more my friends and the friendship we share, for I believe that friendship is one of the greatest blessings that God gives to us. And so, just because, I wanted to give you a small something that would remind you that you are cherished, that you are that sweet-smelling savor who brings joy to my heart, and that I thank God for you. I ask Him to bring blessing into your life as you seek Him and His perfect will for your life in the days to come.

Its not much, and it surely wont last forever, but I trust that our friendship will, and that God will be pleased as together we love Him, serve Him, and anxiously await His return.

Holding your friendship close,

Suggestion: Attach a tag with this greeting to a gift of perfume or bath gel. This is easily converted to a birthday or holiday gift by changing the graphic and closing.

How blessed we are,

How sweet the living

As we give thanks

For friends Gods given.

Friends make me sharper. They do. Really, they do. And they do it in various ways.

Some friends sharpen my wit with their warm and crazy humor. They make me laugh from my heart and I somehow forget about the issues of life that often weigh me down.

Some friends sharpen my life with their penchant for style. Fashion, for them, is an expression of the classy lady who is sporting the matching purse and shoes (and earrings) and, all the while, demonstrating an air of elegant confidence.

Other friends sharpen my mind with their knowledge and their love for learning. They challenge me to be aware of whats happening in my world and contemplate the dangers of noninvolvement and apathy.

Others sharpen my life with their incredible creativity. Those are the gals who can craft a stunning gift out of discarded ribbons and bows, or wrap a gift so beautifully that I resist opening the gift for fear of undoing the exquisite wrapping.

Some sharpen my life with their crazinesstheir ability to be uninhibited and spontaneous, or to try a new hairstyle or a new exotic food. They are those friends who love to snap selfies with others in the shot and always wearing a huge smile.

There are those who sharpen my life with their wisdom. They lovingly share counsel from their cache of life experiences and from a genuine caring heart. They are guides on the days I am feeling doubtful or confused or lonely.