Encouragement

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THE GIFT

The Gift ..... is in a square box, wrapped in plain brown paper, with a single yellow bow on top. Nothing special, however it’s contents are unknown. That in itself makes it somewhat interesting.

The Giver ..... has put a lot of thought into this gift. With little money to spend, the thoughtful giver shopped around for sales, combined her limited knowledge of her new friends’ likes and dislikes and before you knew it, The perfect gift was purchased and ready for delivery.

The Receiver ..... was very excited about what her new friend would give her for her birthday. Knowing she would receive yet another small appliance from her husband and some beautiful homemade gifts from her children, she was really looking forward to this particular gift.

The girls meet for lunch, coffee is ordered and the giver presents her somewhat disappointingly wrapped gift to the receiver. The receiver has the gift in hand, she pulls off the bow, unwraps the box every so carefully as not to show too much excitement, the lid is taken off the box and the gift is revealed.

The receiver looks obviously disappointed, however quickly composes herself and smiles, hoping to conceal her disappointment from the giver. Sure that the giver was not observant enough to see the obvious disappointment, the receiver says, “this is beautiful, it smells so nice”, knowing she will never wear that cologne. The giver accepts the response, but yet very aware of the disappointment in her friend.

Small talk occurs over the gift, the conversation leads into other areas, both genuinely forgetting the uncomfortable gift exchange for the moment. The ladies go their separate ways, feel bad about the receivers reaction, but aware that their friendship is the true gift for both of them. It is unspoken, but both women are content to never speak of this happenstance and continue to nurture their relationship for years to come.

Have you ever been in a position where you’ve been disappointed about a gift you’ve been given or with the reception one of your gifts has received? The shame that one experiences when thanklessness creeps into our thoughts and our hearts must be turned into a learning experience.
If we have the tendancy to want more than what we’re given, we must be mindful of this very common shortcoming and prepare our hearts for the next time we are fortunate enough to be given a gift.

I wonder how Jesus feels when we show our disappointment in the gifts He has so gracously given us.

Our Gift of Salvation.

The package was beaten, bloody, ripped to shreds. The outside package must have been difficult to look at. Once opened, we understand the thoughtfulness of the gift, the sacrifice put forth to purchase the gift, the love that went into handing over that gift. We then accept the gift graciously, appreciate it and are thankful because we were actually given this wonderful gift .... your salvation.

Have you accepted this gift yet? He expects nothing in return really. Only your acceptance of your gift of salvation and enough love for Him to learn a little bit more about your new best friend. We are willing to do that for our girlfriends, so then is it really too much to do for the Creator of heaven, earth and YOU. I think not! This Christmas, accept and embrace your gift of salvation. Give God back just a little of yourself in order to develop a relationship with Him.

For those of us who have already accepted this gift and understand the price that was paid, think for a moment;
Have you accepted your other gifts from God far more graciously?
Do you thank God for them?
What do you do with your gifts?
Do you show them to your friends?
Do you display them in some way so that others are aware that you even have these gifts?

God has given each one of us gifts and talents that if used, will be the ultimate in any gift that keeps on giving. That fulfillment that many of us look for as women WILL be found. I challenge YOU to use and to make the most out of your gifts this Christmas.

Wendy
Yak's Healthy Lifestyles
Lifestyle Coach: Expertise in fitness, nutrition, marriage, decluttering home and life


To find out more about Wendy visit http://www.yakattack.myeweb.net/

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