Receiving

I love receiving gifts. Recently my husband and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary and he had a beautifully wrapped gift for me. I couldn't wait to see what he carefully and lovingly picked out - he knows me pretty well! I opened it, only to find many things wrapped up together, several little gifts inside one larger gift. It was so fun to explore and see that my husband actually listens to me! (haha). I loved every single gift received and he was so pleased that I enjoyed them all.

Receiving a gift is wonderful. But there are a few steps to take in order to do it right.

1. Accept it

2. Open it

3. Use it

Did you ever get a gift that was, well....not really your taste? So you smile and graciously thank the gift-giver while thinking, "I'll never wear/use this!" Suddenly you have a something to "re-gift." Uh yeah, I've never had that experience either.

We can easily accept and open a gift, but not always are we willing to use it, right?

Several years ago, I realized that God had given me a gift. I didn't want to accept it, and I certainly didn't want to open it! He kept pointing to that dusty gift that had my name on it, but I'd turn my head or pretend I didn't hear Him. As my spiritual life deepened through certain prayer practices, such as silence and solitude and sacred listening, it became clear that He wanted me to fully receive His gift, open it up, and use it with all my heart. Finally, I stopped resisting Him and opened up this beautiful gift that is just for me. Now I'm exploring it with His guidance. I can feel His pleasure.

God has given each one of us a unique gift. Is yours sitting on the shelf, collecting dust? Maybe you've opened it but feel it's not a good fit so you put it back on the shelf, all alone.

Do you have a sense that the Gift-Giver is gently nudging you to take that gift off the shelf so you can explore it completely? He picked out this gift for you even before He created the heavens and the earth...

Imagine His pleasure as you fully receive the beautiful gift He's given to you...

Grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn