“The Lord Jesus Himself said:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35
For several years, my older brother, Paul, and I have exchanged gifts in the same gift bag over and over. My brother wasn’t much of a hugger, so when I saw this gift bag years ago in a store, I purchased it to give to him so he’d just have to give me a hug. The gift bag says: “Here’s your gift. Where’s my hug?”
Christmas Day 2010
At my mom’s house Skyping with my brother, Paul, and his family during our Sibling Christmas Pollyanna Exchange
(Paul and his wife, Ronni, live in Texas.)
Paul has since become a great hugger and hugs me whenever he sees me…not just when he receives the gift bag! The bag is lovingly worn from all the back and forth giving over the years. Now that Paul lives in Texas, the bag travels a few times a year via the USPS. This bag has been around. It’s funny how the love and memories wrapped up in a simple gift bag means so much to me.
A few months ago, my fun friend, Erika (pictured here), gave me a cute gift bag and announced: “This is our Boomerang Bag!” “What is a Boomerang Bag?”, I asked her. Erika enthusiastically explained that it is a gift bag that you give back and forth to each other with little gifts whenever inspired to do so. Wow! I LOVE that and the name “Boomerang Bag”!
Boomerang Bag from Erika
Erika had filled the Boomerang Bag with pretty purple tulip cupcake liners and purple sugar sprinkles. (Purple is my favorite color.) She saw these items at a store and sweetly thought of me. I was so touched! (In addition to the Boomerang Bag gifts, she had made me a tray of cupcakes with purple icing and purple sprinkles and presented them in a baking dish with a lid that was part of the gift!! Isn’t she creative!?!?) Now, when we see something that “is so you”, we give it to each other in the Boomerang Bag. Weeks or even a few months may pass without the bag being returned, but we excitedly wait for just the right thing for each other before we wrap it up in the Boomerang Bag and shoot it back.
I love Erika’s idea and the love, thoughtfulness, encouragement and friendship that the Boomerang Bag represents.
I had been practicing the Boomerang Bag concept with my brother for years and now could give it a name. I am also inspired to start the Boomerang Bag tradition with others I love when I see something that is “so them”.
So many times, other’s thoughtfulness and kindness towards us is God’s sweet hand of love and encouragement on our hearts at that moment. Boomerang Bags spread love over and over and over. And as the love is returned to us, encouragement and thankfulness fill our hearts and we are refreshed.
Go ahead…give a Boomerang Bag to someone you love! The love returns…over and over and over.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 11:25
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
Philemon 1:7
What a neat idea and what a precious memory you share with your brother.
Oh Sharon…this is wonderful and SO YOU!! You and Erika are two peas in a pod! 🙂 What a treasure when God unites two people with such loving hearts…you placed into words so beautifully the tradition of Paul's bag and then this special blessing Erika has placed in your life!! LOVE it!
Thank you so much for sharing! ANd girlfriend, that picture of your is gorgeous…never say you can't wear gray because you can and make it look spectacular!
Blessings – Happy Snow Day!
Love,
Heather
Awwww, i LOVE this idea and am totally 'stealing' it!!! Thank you for sharing!! You're such a great gift giver… in deed and words 🙂
Proverbs 11:25 was my life verse for 2010. One day I will write about how many times God brought it to pass in my life. You definitely refreshed me many many times sweet friend!
Love you!
What a fantastic idea! Now I'm gonna have to think and pray on who I can do this with.
You are a true blessing, sister!
Love the idea!! It's unique and it's fun!!!
I love, love, love this. I am passoniate about encouraging others. I love the purple sugar and cupcake liners. I think I may just have to steal that idea a bit…
Bless your heart!