Gifts

Believe it or not, I've done some Christmas shopping this week.  YES PEOPLE, Christmas is coming and even though we aren't even to Halloween or Thanksgiving this gal has got to get crackin'.  With 4 kids, a husband, 6 parents, 4 nieces, 1 nephew, 2 grandparents, 3 teachers and a whole host of other extras, it takes some time to plan, browse, shop, etc.  So now is about the time of year I make a spreadsheet of who I need to buy for, how much to spend, gift ideas and I check it all off as I go.  Yup, another list.   Gifts are on the brain for the next 3 months...

This week, in particular, I was reminded of the gifts that are all around us every day.  I am very fortunate to be studying Beth Moore's Bible series on James this fall.  I am surprised at how this study is hitting me at a time when I really need it and it seems she is speaking just to me.  (Those of you that have studied with Beth I am sure feel the same way!). 

The first part of the week we began in the very beginning of James' letter..."Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  (James 1: 2-4).   Beth challenged us to list trials we are under, hardships that we are facing.  I thought for a minute, tried to come up with something that was a "trial" for me....and then my mind started to wander to a few family members, a friend and a member of the church that are all experiencing real trials right now be it of health, personal crisis or sorrow.  How they all see to be so composed, so strong....so complete.  I had to think "hey, maybe I don't have it so bad"....and then you realize they can be so amazing in the face of something so great, how can a person not pick themselves up by the boot straps and keep it together.  There are people I know that just get bogged down by what seems to be so trivial, but I forget I don't know the whole story. 

By day five of the study we read James 1: 17 "Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above..."   We were asked to list the gifts of our lives.  Maybe not so surprisingly, that list was much easier to make than the list of trials.  Not one gift on my list (other than buying our home) was of material worth.  It was more about the relationships, the memories, the lessons learned.  The times when I was faced with a deeper trial, and the ability to find something within myself to work through it and grow as a person and in my faith. 

We have gifts all around us, every day.  Maybe we don't know it.  Maybe we forget.  Maybe we get lost among everyday life.  Our relationships, talents, time, freedom & liberties, our ability to take time out and dive deeper into our faith without fear of religious persecution....all gifts.  All great gifts. 

Irregardless of what is wrapped and under the tree this Christmas season, I hope that the gifts that matter most to our kids, family and friends are the gifts we give because of who we are. The loving memories we create for our children out of the traditions we celebrate, the ability to be there in times of crisis and pain for our family and friends, the fact that we know those same people would be there for us in a heartbeat.  I am so grateful for all the gifts in my life.  

If you don't realize how blessed by gifts YOU are, I hope you will take the time to list all of your gifts as well.