There are a couple of people in my life who are excellent gift givers. There’s something about their ability to know me – to be able to anticipate what would delight me – even if I haven’t recognized the need or desire just yet. They both observe. They notice things. And those things work their way into their minds such that they recognize the perfect gift when they stumble upon it.
It can be a clock – with mathematical equations instead of plain numbers for the mommy who secretly delights in the intricacy of numbers. Or parchment paper pre-cut to perfectly fit jelly roll pans. It can be snap-circuits for the child who has mentally deconstructed and rebuilt everything he sees since he was a toddler. Or a small container with your name on it filled with your very favorite kind of candy (in a family with lots of kids – this speaks volumes about their individual value). It might be a book for a teen that shapes her ideas of what it means to be a woman. Or a “year of experiences” – gift cards for different family outings for each month of the year.
I am not talking about the monumental – “they bought us a house for our wedding!” type gifts. I’m talking about the things – little or big – that say, “I know you. I’ve observed you. I’ve thought about you. I want to provide this for you. I want to delight you in this way.”
Do you know someone like that? Have you met that person who always has the gift that leaves you richer because of the thought behind it?
I think it’s a rare gift – this ability to give gifts well. 🙂
Perhaps part of the reason these gifts are so meaningful is because they touch that place deep in my heart where eternity is etched. These women are revealing an important part of God’s character: God is a good gift giver. God gives me what I need – what I long for most – what I don’t already have or what I could use more of – and the things I don’t even know to desire.
James 1:16-17 – Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Romans 5:9-11 – Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 8:25-27 – But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalm 37:4 – Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
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