“For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you. Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!” (2 Corinthians 9:12-15 AMP)
[I wrote this story in 2018.]
This morning we left at church the Angel Tree gifts my 10 y.o. son and I had put together for two siblings whose dad is incarcerated. I was thinking as we wrapped them that we’d probably never know whether the “art supplies” and “cars” interests we tried to buy for were right. We’d probably never know whether the kids liked the gifts, whether they already had those items, or whether the gifts helped strengthen the relationship between them and their dad.
When most of us give gifts we usually see the face of the person receiving the gift – or at least get some “thank you” or acknowledgement from the receiver. Giving gifts is a way of expressing “I love you.” And, like all gifts, an “I love you” can be ignored, un-valued, or even rejected.
And I was thinking of God who offers us gifts – love, grace, relationship with him, forgiveness of sins, freedom, healing, peace, etc. I wonder if he watches us when we recognize the gifts he offers – “will he take it?” “will she want what I offer?” “will she use it or abandon it?” I wonder how God can’t be disappointed, even hurt, if we reject what he offers us.
But I also wonder what smile and joy must be on the Father’s face when we accept the gift of Love He offers, when we ask for more of his gifts, and when those gifts strengthen our relationship with him.
So tonight I pray blessings upon these two children who are growing up without a father in the home, and pray that the Heavenly Father will be very real to them.
I pray for this incarcerated man who, evidently, wants to give gifts to his children and tell them he loves them.
I pray that as the rest of us give gifts this season it would be with the goal of strengthening relationships and saying “I love you.”
And I pray that we all would desire, recognize, and appreciate the gifts that God gives us and they would be a blessing to us and to the world.
Giver of All Good Gifts.
Thank you for the many gifts you give us and for the opportunities to give to others. Forgive us when we do not accept what you give us. Help us to embrace the best Gift of all, Jesus. Help your children minister to all those who need grace, love, and gifts this Christmas. We pray salvation, grace, love, peace, and blessing on the incarcerated and their families. We ask these things in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” (Matthew 7:11 NLT)
“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.” (James 1:17 ESV)