An Unexpected Gift

 

When it came to my youngest son’s first birthday, I wrapped up a little gift for his elder brother, so he did not feel too left out. He had struggled a little with adapting to having a sibling. It only cost a couple of pounds, a cheap plastic ‘pirate sword’ with an eye patch from Woolworths, and a bandana. Captain Pugwash was an influential character at the time…

When we started unwrapping the presents and ‘big brother’ realised there was something for him, his face lit up! He eagerly began to rip the paper off his gift, scraps flying everywhere. When he pulled out the cutlass, he jumped up and excitedly leapt around the room shouting, “Just what I always wanted, just what I always wanted!”  

We never quite had that reaction again from anticipated and far more expensive presents.

The sheer delight of an unexpected gift.

Joy is infectious and makes a lasting impression. We have not forgotten that first birthday, and the reaction of our oldest child, although it was nearly 25 years ago. There have been many birthdays since, and gratitude for gifts received, but none as memorable as ‘just what I always wanted.’

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we receive an unexpected, and priceless gift - God’s saving grace. Our joy may be more contained, but none the less real. Particularly at this time of year we reflect on the fullness of the gift of our salvation, of God’s saving and keeping power. And if our joy has been tempered by trials, we can return to the source:

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” Psalm 51:12

Then there is the gift of God’s common grace, that He distributes and gives generously to all.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

An unexpected gift comes at the most unlikely time. Often in the winter of our soul, when everything looks bleak, and there appears to be no way forward. It is then, when our own agendas and expectations are removed, that God brings a seed of hope. The unexpected gift can come in many different shapes and forms, after all God is the master craftsman and He gives individual gifts. 

Have you received an unexpected gift in this season?

I am delighting in the gift of time; less busyness has meant more productivity! To be able to be more reflective and explore different opportunities, to share faith and connect with people worldwide, has been such a surprise.

“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed, embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good.” Roald Dahl.

Whatever season of writing you are in resting, working, or receiving, enjoy where you are at this moment. Delight in the unique, and maybe unexpected, gift that God has given you - it could be just what you've always wanted....

I blog at https://limitless-horizon.com . Any inspiration comes from the beauty of the coastline where I live in Wales, looking out in faith at the wide-open space of God’s grace. Competing for my time are my family, a part-time civil service job, and local church activities. Plus one horse and two dogs, who unreasonably demand my attention regardless of the weather….