Accepting Gifts

Do you find it easy to receive gifts, without feeling a need to reciprocate?

With the exception of children, I'm not sure many people do. I know that it's hard for me to accept a gift without feeling a sense of indebtedness. But the purpose of a gift is that it is freely given, without expectation of receiving in return. At least, that's what it's supposed to be.

Our staff exchanges Christmas gifts every year. This year we decided to break tradition and make donations to our Christmas service project in lieu of giving gifts.

However, there were a few staff members who decided to give gifts anyway, in addition to making donations. Most of us on the receiving end have been scrambling to find last-minute gifts to give in return. Thankfully, I have a small stash of extra gifts set aside for those unexpected gift giving occasions such as this.

I know that the gift-givers did not give with an expectation to get something in return, but I think it's part of our mentality to want to make things even and not feel indebted to someone. Perhaps that's why it's hard to accept God's gifts so freely sometimes. We feel like we owe something to God--and certainly, we owe our lives to Him. But no amount of giving can come close to repaying Him for what He's given and is giving to us.

Somehow, in the hustle and bustle and self-imposed pressure to buy presents, I think we've lost sight of the true reason for gifts. So often we see gift-giving as a burden rather than a way to bless others. And if we start to feel like we have to repay God out of a sense of duty, we can become resentful and feel burdened about Him as well.

I want to be more open to gratefully accepting the gifts that God gives me. I want to recognize those gifts more clearly, as they are often packaged in unexpected ways. And I want to give back to God, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of love and appreciation for what He's given me.

Impact

There are some people that come into your life that you just know right off the bat are going to play an important role in your life. Then there are others who quietly, without you realizing it, impact your life in various ways.

God has blessed me with numerous people from all walks of life who have made an impact on my life. Tonight was our office Christmas party, and our current association president and his wife attended. We have a lot of wonderful and memorable members, but these two are some of the most genuinely kind and thoughtful people I've ever met. As I drove home tonight, I thought about how blessed I am to have gotten to know them and how much their kindness and thoughtful gestures have influenced me. They are a couple who are truly in love with God and in love with each other, and they model the kind of marriage that I would like to have someday.

There are many, many other people who have come into my life and played important roles. Of course my family has had the most influence on me, but I am thinking tonight of so many others who have also impacted me. I think about a woman I know who was a single woman in her 20s while I was in college. We weren't particularly close, but I do remember that one time she sent me a note of encouragement along with a book of stamps. For some reason, that sticks in my memory--perhaps because a broke college student appreciated getting anything in the mail! I often received care packages and letters from home, but getting something from a non-family member was really special.

I think of the men and women who welcomed me into the singles group when I began attending my current church home. I was fresh out of college, had just moved back to Montgomery, and pretty much all of my friends were either still in college or living and working in other cities. These people welcomed me in and became a new group of friends. There are two women in particular from that group, both of whom are married now, one with children, whom I am still close to. They are both several years older than me and have taught me so much through sharing their wisdom gleaned from many trials and experiences.

I think of one of my very best friends who I met through the singles group. We became friends pretty quickly, but our friendship was really cemented after we both went through devastating break-ups of relationships at the same time. We were able to comiserate, cry together, vent together, and lift each other up and encourage each other. I truly believe that we would not be as close today if we had not both gone through such a similar valley at the same time.

I could go on and on, which is a wonderful thing to realize. Some people God has brought into my life for just a short while, but the impact they've made is lifelong. Other people have been with me for years, and, Lord willing, will be in my life for the rest of my life.

As I reflect on how blessed I am to know and be touched by so many people, I think about the kind of impact that I have on others' lives. I often forget that, whether I realize it or not, I am influencing others in some way. I want to live in a way that my influence is for good, and where the memories I leave behind are gracious ones.

Something Else to Be Grateful For

Last week a couple of co-workers and I attended a kickoff luncheon for the Arthritis Foundation's annual Jingle Bell Run, which our office has participated in over the past few years. As we enjoyed the free lunch at Carrabba's, we heard several stories of people who lived with arthritis every day. Despite its reputation as an affliction for the elderly, people of all ages--including children--can be diagnosed with arthritis.

One story in particular that I remember was given by a man who used to be an avid runner. Then, in his thirties, he was afflicted with arthritis. Today, while he is still fairly mobile compared to a lot of others, he cannot run like he used to.

It's amazing the things I so often take for granted, including my health. At lunch that day, I was once again reminded that my health is a gift from God that is not to be taken for granted, but to be used for His glory.

So, if you're having one of those days where everything seems to be going wrong and you struggle to find something to be grateful for, be grateful for your health. Thank God that you can get up out of bed, unassisted, that you can dress yourself, that you can walk up stairs, that you can see where you're going, that you can hear your telephone ringing...there is so much to be grateful for.

Thankful

This week, in the midst of sweltering heat, I'm thankful for Willis Haviland Carrier. The name may not be familiar, but his invention is a life-saver: the air conditioner. Praise God for giving this man the wisdom and foresight to create it!

Additionally, I'm thankful to live and work in places that have A/C. Last night at Bible study someone mentioned a friend's husband who has been stationed in Iraq, where he has to wear full uniform, along with all of his heavy gear, in 120+-degree heat. That definitely gives me perspective when I am tempted to complain about having to walk 50 yards in the heat from the office door to my car.

So, what are YOU thankful for today?

Counting My Blessings

Although I recognize that every day is indeed a gift from God full of His blessings in various shapes, kinds and sizes, today I'm reflecting on a particularly blessing-filled week. Or perhaps I'm extra aware of blessings today. At any rate, I thought I'd share a few of the more tangible blessings from this week:

-I got to spend last weekend with some dear college friends who I hadn't seen in a few years, and got to meet their precious little boy who turns 1 tomorrow (Happy birthday Joseph!). And I had a safe drive home.

-We got some rain this week! (Okay, not nearly as much as we'd like, but I'll take whatever God wants to give right now!)

-I finally got my gate fixed, and it is working better than ever.

-I got a card for a free lunch at Zoe's. Yum.

-I won a Panera gift card at our staff retreat today. Yum again.

-I got to use a Starbucks birthday gift card to try a raspberry mocha frappuccino this afternoon. Triple yum!

-At our staff retreat today, I bowled two strikes back to back and ended up coming in second on our team of four. Not too bad considering I hadn't been in a bowling alley in years, and my only recent "practice" was on my friends' Wii last weekend.

-After our retreat ended, we got the rest of the day off--a great early start to the weekend!

I'm sure I could go on and on...anyone care to add a blessing or two that they've experienced this week?

On Turning 33 and Living Life to the Full

Today I turn the big 33. It's not considered a "milestone" age, like turning 16 or 21 or 30. However, it is significant to me to think that I am now the same age that Jesus reputedly was when He completed His ministry on Earth and was crucified, resurrected and ascended.



Last night I was ruminating on how Jesus approached His ministry and His life in general. He seemed to take every day on Earth in stride, always living in the moment and not rushing to the next event or looking ahead to the next appointment. He had a peace in the middle of the storms, both literally and figuratively.



Of course, you could argue that, being one of the Trinity, He knew all that would happen, and had no reason to worry or fret about the future. However, while I'd like to think that knowing about the future would give me a huge sense of calm and peace, I have a feeling that if I knew some of the negative things destined for my life, I'd probably live with a sense of dread of the future.



And Jesus certainly knew what His earthly future held, including every agonizing detail of the torturous death to come, made even more agonizing by His separation from God. Despite knowing this, the Gospels never give an indication that Jesus lived a lifestyle of worry and dread about the future. He did not let the frustrations of life detract from His joy and peace. That is not to say that He was looking forward to the crucifixion--His grief-stricken prayer for deliverance in the Garden of Gethsemane certainly say otherwise.



But while it would be tempting to walk through life with the attitude of dread, Jesus embraced His earthly life fully. He took the time to hang out with children, to feed thousands of people, to speak words of kindness and healing to the downtrodden. And I think He didn't just live His life, but actually enjoyed it fully. Can't you imagine Him getting a kick out of walking on the water? Or having a twinkle in His eye as He performed some miracle?



Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." A couple of years ago, I adopted this as my "life verse"--hence, the title of my blog. I realize that Jesus didn't just promise abundant life for us, but also lived an example of that life--a life that, while not free from pain and suffering, was free from the emotional and spiritual bondage that often accompany the hardships of life.



As I enter my 33rd year of life, more than ever I want to emulate Jesus. I particularly feel a desire to enjoy the life that God has gifted me with, even if it's not necessarily the life I would have designed for myself. I want to be more thankful now than I ever have before, and to see each day as a blessing created especially for me by the Creator of the universe.



Whatever age you are, may you too be filled with thankfulness and a determination to live life to the full!

Spiritual Influences

I'm in a particularly reflective mood this week (although that's not saying much, as I'm nearly always in a reflective mood!). Tonight I started thinking about various people that God has gifted me with who have been a powerful spiritual influence on my life.

While I'm surrounded with many great influences in my family, church and among my friends, there are some influences that are no longer with me for one reason or another. Some of these people are no longer here, due to death or moving away. Some people have figuratively moved to a different place in their lives and we don't talk as much as we once did. But regardless of whether or not I see or talk to these people again here on Earth, the impact they made on my heart will last as long as I live.

I think that one of the greatest rewards we'll have in Heaven is realizing how many people we impacted with our lives. Equally exciting to me is the prospect of being able to share my gratitude to those who have touched my life in so many powerful ways. Of course, I try to share that with people now, while I'm still living, but I can't completely convey how influential they are, how encouraging they've been. The actions that may seem small to them--the note of encouragement, the phone call at just the right time, the compliment, the prayer uttered on my behalf--make a huge impact on me.

Take some time this week to show your gratitude to at least one person who has impacted you in a powerful way. You never know, it may be exactly what they need to hear right now.

Memorial Day

Whether you're at work today or have today off, whether you slept in late or got up early, whether you spend the day shopping or working in your yard or fishing in the Gulf, remember that you can do these things because of the courageous men and women who have given their lives in military service for the sake of our freedom.

More importantly, remember that it is God who gives us the ultimate freedom of living a redeemed life. No matter who's in authority in our nation, it is God who is in control. Let's not take any of these freedoms for granted.

Enjoy your day!

Reasons to Rejoice

Every now and then I'll get into the habit of ending each day by writing out some of that day's blessings in my journal. This week I decided to get back in the habit, and asked a good friend to hold me accountable to it. I find that my attitude and mood are much better when I'm focused on the blessings that God has given me, and I'm a lot less likely to complain or throw a pity party for myself.

Here are some of today's blessings:

-Got to spend time at The Waters on a gorgeous sunny day (it was work-related, I promise!)

-Got my Target shopping done after work so I don't have to run errands tomorrow

-Enjoyed a delicious sushi dinner with one of my best friends

-Received a new book in the mail today

-Received an encouraging email from one of my friends


I'm sure I'll think of more as the evening progresses. Hope you have a great night and that you spend time counting your own blessings!

Things Taken for Granted

I'm nursing a cold, nothing major, just enough to keep me in a resting state most of the weekend. I have always had good health, so on the rare occasions when I do get sick, it's a minor annoyance, but it also makes me appreciate the good health that God has blessed me with. I know other people (including my age and younger) who are not so fortunate, and I realize that I could be diagnosed with some disease or experience some traumatic accident tomorrow. Perhaps letting me get a cold is God's way of keeping me from taking my health for granted.

Sometimes it takes losing something, even temporarily, to truly appreciate it. Whether it's a relationship, a job, a friendship, money, good health--all these things can be so easily neglected while we have them. We take it for granted that they will always be there. But God has not promised that our lives will remain the same. He does not guarantee that our relationship won't end, that we won't be fired, that our bank account will always be in the black.

While we should not rely on anything or anyone besides God, at the same time, we should be careful to enjoy who and what we have been given, for the time we've been given. Is there someone in your life right now who does not know what they mean to you? Is there an area of your life--your job, church, etc.--where your attitude is sucking the joy out of the experience? Are you neglecting to take care of your health, home or finances?

Ask God to reveal areas in which you are taking someone or some circumstance for granted. Let His Spirit guide you in cultivating a more grateful attitude in every area of your life.

Enjoy your day!

Thanksgiving

Update: The interview was rescheduled for Friday morning, due to the bad weather today. I am extremely thankful that we shut the office early so that I could get home before another round of storms makes it way through town. Stay safe, everyone!

Last night was my last night of teaching 4 year-olds at church for the quarter. For the most part I enjoyed our kids this quarter, but I'm looking forward to returning to the land of adults, where perhaps the whining, shoving and trips to the bathroom will be kept to a minimum.

Since our final lesson was about thankfulness, I thought I'd share some things that I am especially thankful for this week (in addition to being thankful for having survived a quarter of teaching 4 year-olds):

-I'm thankful for my mom's help in teaching this quarter. I couldn't have done it (and kept my sanity intact) without her!

-I'm thankful that I stayed awake (and, for the most part, quite coherent) during yesterday's early morning interview. Better yet, we really liked the person we interviewed, so it was definitely worth getting up early for! And I'm thankful that we have another interview today, so perhaps we'll be able to hire someone very SOON!

-I'm thankful for getting notes and emails of encouragement from friends this week.

-I'm thankful that I've had opportunities to pray for friends this week.

-I'm thankful for the pound I've lost over the past week.

-I'm thankful for no bills in yesterday's mail.

-I'm thankful for the opportunity to listen to some really powerful radio messages and podcasts this week.

-I'm thankful for getting a really good parking space at work.

-I'm thankful for having lots of opportunities to laugh this week, especially at work.

-I'm thankful that I could literally spend all day and night writing out every blessing God's given me, and still not scratch the surface. I am truly blessed and humbled by all that He has done and is doing in my life!

May you have a blessed day guided by a thankful heart!