A gift from heaven

Sometimes, it’s hard to accept a gift. When we’re handed something that’s unexpected, an awkward feeling kind of washes up, and we will sometimes blush and say, oh, you really shouldn’t have, or… oh, that wasn’t necessary!

Why do we do this? Is it a pride thing? I don’t need anything. Or an esteem thing that we consider gifts as some kind of handout?  It could also be that we just don’t like fruitcake and would rather hand that little round tin back to you, but it’s not always about us, and by balking, we might as well throw cold water on the giver.

On a grander and more exponential scale, ever wonder how God feels when the world balks at the free gift of salvation offered by his only begotten son? Oh, that’s not necessary, God. I’m good. It’s free? Oh, no, I need to work for my stuff. No such thing as a free lunch, right? You shouldn’t have!

      There’s a story about a gentleman and the little old lady. He’d once offered to help the woman with her overgrown yard and unsightly trees that she didn’t have the skill to remove herself. She didn’t want to put him out—embarrassed that it would be too much trouble—but this gentleman seemed most eager to do the work. He’d offered his gifts of time and talent, and she soon thought it good to allow him to do the work he’d wanted to do for her. While she could have balked and rejected his offer, saying it wasn’t necessary or no, that’s alright, instead she said, sure, thank you…that’s a lovely offer. By so doing, she didn’t rob the gentleman of the blessing of his giving.

      God’s gift to mankind is an even lovelier offer. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” Have you accepted the priceless gift of Jesus? It’s wrapped with an eternity of blessings including peace, joy, hope, and a glorious future.