This Christmas, I encourage you to give your loved ones the gift of your time. The ROI of your time will be the biggest gift you receive this season! As you invest your time in others’ lives, will you expect a return on your investment? Or will you expect nothing in return?
Investors invest their money in business ventures hoping it will produce a positive return on their investment. Otherwise, they would not do it and many businesses may not exist if no one invested in them at startup. Investors know their expectations for their Return on Investment (ROI). But what if that investment is your time, an intangible yet your most valuable asset? Should you expect a return on your time too? I do and I encourage you to expect a return as well.
Let me explain. While the ROI on your time may never be a financial return, your ROI will always be something. At the least, you will feel like you helped someone—even if that person never even says “thank you” to you. At the most, you will see the fruit of your investment of time by how you were able to impact that person’s life. And sometimes the return on your investment will be in the spiritual realm. You won’t see it here, but you will see it when you go to heaven.
Below are some examples of how you can give the gift of your time:
· Spend time with children: Whether you spend time with your own kids, grandkids, or relatives, or volunteer at a nonprofit to spend time with children, this is always a good investment of your time. When you give children of your time, you are giving them special attention and they feel valued and loved.
· Listen to a widow or widower: People who have recently lost a spouse need special attention and love, especially during the holidays. Often, we don’t know what to say to someone who’s lost a loved one, not realizing that what they need is not for us to say anything. They just need us to listen to them as they process their grief.
· Spend time with your parents: If you’re blessed to still have your parents alive, make the effort to call them, visit them, or do a virtual call if they live away. The special time you spend together will help you create memories that will last a lifetime. If you no longer have your parents, encourage others to connect or reconnect with theirs as we never know if there will be a “next time.”
· Nurture your friendships: Time spent with dear friends rejuvenates you and increases your happiness. Sharing laughter and sometimes tears create a special bond that deepens your relationship.
· Share the Gospel: As a follower of Jesus, I invest my time sharing the Gospel of hope with my friends who may not know how to incorporate Jesus in their everyday life.
· Spend time with God: God, your Father, yearns for your time. God rejoices when you spend time with Him, simply worshiping Him, reading the Bible, or bringing your prayer requests for others to Him.
I hope these ideas inspire you to give of your time this Christmas season. Your gift of time will get you the biggest return on your investment you’ve ever imagined—whether it’s here on earth or in eternity later.
Merry Christmas!