Undeserved Gifts

This past Christmas something different happened to me that I don’t remember ever happening before.  Usually, I get a few little gifts from family and I am always so thankful! But, at the age of 35, I hardly ever get big surprise gifts.  I’m just past that stage of life.  This year, however, I got not one but two!  

My husband and my mom each gave me thoughtful, wonderful, expensive gifts that I had wanted for a long time and never would have bought for myself.  Both of them remembered comments I had made way in the past and planned for months what to get me.  I was shocked and completely touched when I opened each gift.  It also reminded me how underserving I am. I am not the best daughter in the world and I certainly fail constantly at being a wife and mother. Yet, somehow, these precious people in my life love me anyway and showered me with completely unwarranted blessings.

It got me thinking about God.  Isn’t that just like Him?  I fail everyday.  I go back to the same sins over and over.  I doubt. I wallow.  BUT. GOD. 

He has given me so much.  Most importantly, He has saved me and given me new life.  If nothing else good ever happened to me, that would be enough.  And beyond that, He continually blesses me with good gifts that too often I take for granted.  I’ll be honest, I’m in a time of frustration in my life as certain prayers aren’t being answered.  I am struggling with God. I am asking Him “Why” so much I’m starting to annoy myself.  I needed this simple reminder at Christmas.  The reminder that no matter what is confusing right now, there is so much to be grateful for.  Everything I have is a gift from God, and I didn’t earn any of it.  

Psalm 144:15 says “Happy are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”  I know this to be true in my life.  Even thought I don’t always “feel” that way, I am choosing today to cling to the promise.  Will you join me?  Let’s purpose to see God’s good gifts each day.  Even the things that are hard. The waiting, the questions and the confusion are blessings in the long run.  They teach us to depend on God alone for our strength and peace and not on circumstances.  They make us stronger in Christ.  I wouldn’t trade what I am learning in this time for anything.  One day I will look back and see His guiding hand through this time of waiting. I don’t want to miss the beautiful life I have right now just because I am looking ahead to what I don’t have yet.  

So here are a few “gifts” I have been reminded of in the last few weeks as I have been pondering these truths.  May they encourage you to look around and see God’s hand in your life too. And may they spur me on to consider what gifts I can give Him in return.

*baking homemade bread with my daughter

*a hardworking husband who always puts family time first

*loving family and friends who showered my little girl with love for her birthday

*a warm and cozy home

*actual conversations with my little boy as he is learning to talk

*time spent with family grieving and celebrating my Grams

*hearing little voices say "mommy"

*indoor playgrounds

*the joy that comes when I sit down at the piano 

*a mom and dad that are nearby and involved in my family

*hearing my oldest reading

*dear friends who love and encourage me daily

*peace that can only come from Jesus

Soli Deo Gloria, 

Jessica