Skip to main content

The Best Gift Exchange



 

 My ten year old granddaughter, Amy, couldn't contain her excitement yesterday as we drove to the park.  "I'm happy for you to meet my best friend, she said."  I exclaimed:  "Are you kidding me, Amy?  I know how important a best friend is and I just know she is going to love the Christmas present you chose for her!"


We parked the van near the bench where her best friend sat next to her dad waiting patiently for the play date to begin.  There's fun equipment to play on at the park, but Amy's bestie insisted they exchange gifts first.  She couldn't wait to see Amy's reaction to the gift she carefully wrapped for her.  Amy shouted with glee to receive a new sketchbook with watercolor markers.  It was perfect!  Her little friend smiled from ear to ear.  

I'm asking myself if watching the girl's interaction at the park yesterday prompted my emotional response to this morning's devotional.  Instead of reading it, I opted for the audio
narration of Luke, Chapter Two.  I liked how the narrator's voice rose in pitch when she described the shepherds' excitement of finding the promise, a baby in the manger.  They knew the importance of it all.  When they returned to their everyday lives, they were changed forever.  Imagine!

The narrator spoke of something which gripped my heart.  "The Father was pleased (delighted, elated) to offer His children the very best gift--the gift of His one and only son."

Like Amy's bestie, our Father knows His gift is perfect for us, perfect like impeccable, faultless, marvelous.  What could be better than perfect unconditional love, the kind of love that completes us--delivers us--heals our troubled hearts?

All we have to do is receive it!

I get distracted during the holidays.  Will I find just the right gift to wrap and give?  Will it be meaningful and will they love it as much as I love giving it?

These are the times I have to remind myself of the best gift of all.  To think Father God is pleased to send His Son warms my heart!  He's happy to win us back!  My concerns grow dim and I'm back on track.

I like the hymn:  "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." 

Jesus is the best gift. 

Comments

  1. Mevely317December 25, 2024 at 9:19 AM

    Aw, thanks for sharing Amy's play date, Mary! You made me remember my own 10-year-old delight. In these trying times, yes. The best gift is Jesus.
    Merry Christmas, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BrendaDecember 26, 2024 at 3:46 AM

    Hi Mary, it is a lovely story regarding Amy's story, and I agree absolutely that Jesus is the best gift all could receive. He is the Only ONE Who came to the Earth Who could give us the gift of ETERNAL LIFE. God bless you for sharing your inspiring post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Creations By CindyDecember 29, 2024 at 2:34 PM

    What a beautiful read for me this afternoon. Happy New Year dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Deb J. in UtahJanuary 3, 2025 at 6:37 AM

    Hi Mary. Thanks for visiting my blog! I love this post. It is so uplifting and TRUE. What a wonderful gift of Eternal Life God has given us through Jesus Christ! God bless you and yours in 2025. I hope to visit your blog again soon!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have This Day

  A friend noticed Cowboy Church off of Dry Creek Road in West Sedona yesterday morning as he drove past and told me the parking lot was bulging with cars from everywhere.  "Something big was going on!  He said." "Yes I replied; I was there and I want to tell you all about what happened." I glanced over the highly attended sanctuary as the first speaker approached to speak.  He introduced himself as a pastor from the state of Washington but he was also my bestie's nephew.  His engaging  eulogy of the life of his cousin, Ashley, gripped me.  He helped all of us understand and trust God when we want to scream "She was so young.  What about her widower husband now who loved her with all his heart?  What about their two-year old boy who misses his mommy?"  There are days we just don't understand God's ways.  But I am at peace to know Ashley is finally pain free and lives in Paradise. I glanced at her mom, Maureen, my best friend now for...
7 comments
Read more

Spiritual Sundays ~ Wedding Anniversary

I remember when we sold one of our homes to a dancer who starred in one of the popular TV programs from the sixties. She decided to move to her Sedona property. She shared many things with me about Hollywood during each phase of the construction like when she dated Elvis. Personally, I’ve never been an Elvis fan, so I wasn’t impressed if he was a good kisser or not. The dancer married several times but now she found the dream man and now wanted the dream home. During one of her visits to my office, I was celebrating a wedding anniversary. I was taken aback when she asked me a personal question. What is the secret to a long- lasting marriage? I replied: “respect.” Ephesians 5:33 says” each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Women want to be loved and men want to be respected. Sounds simple right? Ask any married couple. It is not easy to do. Our 39th wedding anniversary is today! We are still working at this Biblical principle!...
40 comments
Read more

I'm Going as Abigail This Year

I vote for more purses, toothbrushes, cups, storybooks, and Halloween costumes that feature Abigail of the Old Testament.  She is a heroin worthy to emulate, in my opinion, even more than Cinderella. Once upon a time, there was a kind woman by the name of Abigail who lived with a surly man who liked to drink a lot and have parties.  One time, King David and his army were very hungry and entered the surly man’s homestead and asked if they could come to his barbecue.  The king had a right to ask because he and his men protected the homestead’s boundary lines.  The surly man said “No.  Get off my property.”  The King had a temper and became offended. Surly drunk + spiteful King = War In the meantime, Abigail heard about the situation and spent hours baking cinnamon rolls for the King and his army.  She dismounted from her horse and presented the King with her peace offering.  She bowed low and greeted the King and asked his forgi...
39 comments
Read more