Has this ever happened to you? You put a ton of thought into a gift. It is something someone mentioned in passing, you made a mental note and have been keeping the secret for a long time – you can’t wait until they open it. Or you painstakingly handcraft a gift – custom made just for them. Or you pour your heart and soul into selecting just the right thing.
Then when they open it, you hear:
“Oh. Is that all?”
Or some other words that make your heart sink. Your gift isn’t enough. Isn’t fancy enough or sparkly enough or expensive enough. Not the right brand name or from the right store.
“Is that all?”
And as I’m wallowing in self-pity about not meeting someone’s expectations, dreading having to once again exchange gifts, I wonder:
Have I said that to God about the gifts he’s given me?
“Is that all?”
A warm home, clothes to wear, a reliable car, satisfying work, food on my table.
“Is that all, Lord? This is all nice, but I was hoping for something fancier and more expensive. Maybe a better brand name? Didn’t you get the link I sent you?”
As much as I hope to please those I exchange gifts with. I know I can do better in appreciating the gifts given to me. I should express more gratitude for all the things we’ve been blessed with.
A beautiful family. A strong circle of friends. Our cabin in the woods. Love and forgiveness. God’s faithfulness through it all.
Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand has provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Leah by the Lake 