Sunday, January 9, 2011

NO GIFT?

  
I love planning, preparing and buying gifts for our times of celebration.  I prepare months in advance for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, Graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day and our one married child's anniversary.  I sacrifice in other areas in order to be able to buy a special, well-thought-out and searched-for gift to make the guest of honor feel celebrated. This last week gave me two occasions to celebrate my sons' lives.


This week wasn't any different, even though it hit just after Christmas, I want my guys to feel celebrated.  I threw a party at our 5-year-old's Kids Day Out program.  I provided lunch, birthday cupcakes and goody bags for the children.  I explained to my son that he probably wouldn't receive any gifts.  This was my gift to his friends and him.


To my surprise, some parents had sent gifts. His teacher brought the gifts to the table for him to unwrap. (Don't we all enjoy unwrapping a gift and being celebrated?  I don't think you ever grow too old for that).


One little girl looked round and round the room with a sad, disappointed look on her face.  She then cried out, "Where is my gift for him?"  She was so disappointed she had nothing to give. My heart went out to her as I reached out my hands of comfort.


I too, would never think to come to a celebration empty-handed or forget a special loved one by the lack of evidence of a gift.


Each day, I pull my chair up to the banquet table of my Lord and Savior.  I eat from His goodness.  He allows me to enter into the celebration and bring a sacrificial gift of myself.  How many times do I just take from Him?  How many times do I not offer my time, my talents, my money, my love, my thankfulness to the one who gives me life? No gift of appreciation from me... I come to the party and enjoy the well-prepared meal and the goody bags without giving to the guest of honor.  May my heart be like the little girl saying, "where is my gift for the King?"


Thanks to you all for the most precious birthday wishes and greetings...you made my entrance into the new decade more than enjoyable.
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26 comments:

  1. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/January 9, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    oh such a good point! This illustration was wonderful. How many times I have come and accepted all of His free gifts, and not given of myself, just taken. I want to give more to Him this year, and still receive the wonderful gifts He offers, with a more grateful heart.

    We are so blessed!

    Hugs!

    P.S... is it snowing at your house? It is here!

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  2. DebbieJanuary 9, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    What a wonderful anaolgy this is...Again just what I like to do (shocker, haha) preparing weeks in advance so whoever is celebrating something feels special and celebrated...and yet out of the mouths of babes? WHAT do I think and plan and dwell of giving to our Lord? A good question, AND one I intend to give lots more thought (AND ACTION TO) Have a wonderful Sunday. HUGS

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Lovely. Wonderful. Wise. Thank you for this beautiful post!

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  4. Farm GirlJanuary 9, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    It is such a sweet way to be reminded we need to be like that every day, we need to make every day that special. I am glad you had a nice day Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Thoughts for the dayJanuary 9, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    wonderful post gives me lots to think about.

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  6. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Janette.. great post.. great analogy.. thanks..love ya friend..

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  7. LorieJanuary 9, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    This is a beautiful post. (I love your writing style.) Thank you for the important reminder.

    Happy (belated) birthday!

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  8. A multi-dimensional lifeJanuary 9, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    This post is so touching, Janette! Thank you for your eloquent words!Oh, my heart goes out to that precious little girl. I pray that her pure and generous heart never change. Keep her pure Lord and keep her heart longing for you!
    I'm so glad you are embracing this new decade as you continue to bless us with your grace and beauty! Happy Birthday, Happy Year!
    xo

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  9. TheresaJanuary 9, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Oh, my heart aches for that little girl. I remember when I taught in the public schools. At Christmas time most of the kids would bring my gifts. One boy who came from a poor family came up to me and was so sad that he didn't have a gift for me. I gave him a big hug and told him that was the best gift. I still get teary eyed thinking of it.

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  10. SandyJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    Oh I love this! Such a great
    analogy, too. How often we are
    guilty of taking and taking and
    not even being aware of His
    goodness and generosity. May
    we have hearts so aware of all
    His gifts that giving thanks
    comes as naturally as receiving
    them.
    Hugs,
    Sandy

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  11. myletterstoemilyJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    this is such a poignant story, and you make
    a very good point with your incredible
    writing.

    i love king david's declaration that he would
    not give a gift that cost him nothing.

    bless you, sweet friend.

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  12. AmyJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Enjoy your snow! We are waiting on it and hopeful it will happen. Blessings!

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  13. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    May my heart be like the little girl saying, "where is my gift for the King?"
    Loved this!! So great-I must admit I think that is how I have approached the throne these last few days-crying out and asking for so many things to go the way I want them to, the way I think they should, what I think He should do is that best. But what have I brought to Him in return. Thank you for making me stop in my tracks-fall to my knees and ask Him to forgive me for that.
    Happy Sunday dear friend.
    Love
    Jill

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  14. PamelaJanuary 9, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    I, too, love to give the perfect gift. But I, too, come empty handed to Christ. I needed this reminder to bring gifts to God's parties--even if it's a party of 2.

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  15. Lea @ CiCis CornerJanuary 9, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Another inspiring post! You never disappoint! :o)

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  16. सहज समाधि आश्रमJanuary 9, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    I wish you Happy New 2011!

    क्या कहने साहब ।
    जबाब नहीं निसंदेह ।
    यह एक प्रसंशनीय प्रस्तुति है ।
    धन्यवाद ।
    satguru-satykikhoj.blogspot.com

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  17. SydneyJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    Happy Belated Birthday!

    I have been away for a little but just read your posts and saw the lovely pics of you and your family as you rejoice in another year in HIM (and many more to come)!!! Praise Jesus for that victory!

    I want my heart to come into the presence of the Lord not only wanting to receive although I am aware I NEED so much of HIM but I want to give HIM more of me. I want to leave His presence with less of me and more of HIM.

    May I always go to HIM with thanks and praise never forgetting from where I have been rescued.

    Peace be with you!

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  18. ShelleyJanuary 10, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Such a great thought - thank you for the kick.

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  19. DebbieJanuary 10, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    If I were that Emeril guy, I would say, "BAM" right about now.

    This is a wonderful post and an even more wonderful reminder. Too often, we sit at the table thinking "where's my gift?" instead of "where's my gift for the king?"

    I love this and HAPPY Birthday to those two young fellows in your house.

    January is busy at your place!

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Janette,

    Wow! What a heart-convicting message! I think I had a little bit of an "ouch moment" as I read your post today.

    Blessings,

    -Lady Rose

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  21. Let'sMakeADifferenceJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    GREAT GREAT post!!! Happy belated birthday!! I am always touched by your posts!!

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  22. KarenJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I'm afraid most of the time I come with an empty gift bag waiting for HIM to fill it. Thanks for sharing these wonderful thoughts HE has given you.

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  23. SueJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    OH! Janette I am so sorry I missed yours and your sons birthday party here in blogland. But I will now wish all of you many more blessed and joyful birthdays together. Now am I forgiven, we can blame it on vertigo. lol
    Todays post was a wonderful gift to me, I have gone so many times without a gift to the Master's table, what a great analogy you have given.
    I leave your table today full of encouragement, and inspiration!.
    Thank you for stopping by the farmhouse too! I am hoping to have some good pictures for Benjamin. just as soon as we have more than one new lamb.

    We are snowed in with ice on top of it! I hope you all enjoyed you snow.
    Much love,
    Sue

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  24. MaurieJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Janette, Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I love your story about the little girl who grieved not bringing a gift to the party and how that relates to my own often empty-handedness. Happy writing, Janette. And stop by GraciousInteriors.blogspot.com. again any time!
    Maurie

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  25. {Bellamere Cottage}January 11, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    What a beautiful, beautiful post.... particularly the last paragraph.... It made me weep.... SAGE thoughts, for sure... And, I'm going to carry them in MY heart....

    Thank you so much for this precious post...

    Huggies,
    Spencer

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  26. Diana FergusonJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Great post, Janette. I so need to practice giving Him more and not always just taking.

    Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

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