What is your gift
experience? How do you receive
gifts? Do you quickly return gifts or
treasure the gift with all your heart? Do
you use the gift right away, or set it aside, unused? Do you share your gifts with others or hoard
them for yourself? Do you set aside the
gift without a bow, but open the beautifully wrapped one first? Do you re-gift? Are you a giver or a receiver?
Gifts come in all
sizes, various prices, and varieties.
Once you open a gift, you may treasure it all your life. Sometimes you treasure the gift because of the
giver. My husband surprised me one
birthday with two unexpected presents, I was overjoyed. The gift, a pair of pink skinny jeans and a
blouse; will never be forgotten. It was
not because pink is my color and I love clothes. No, it meant something since it was the first
gift he had purchased in over thirty years.
You know, people are a lot like gifts. They too come in different
sizes and personalities. Each person you
meet can become a treasured gift to you, if you open the “gift” and get to know
their story. Yes, everyone has a story
to tell. If you take the time to listen
they will usually open their hearts to you. If the gift is left on the shelf, it will never be unveiled.
People need people to become alive.You need all kinds of
people in your life to thrive, to be healthy and whole. Some people encourage. You especially need these people when you feel
that there is a black cloud trying to rain on you. You can easily spot them because they smile as
they say things like, “We need the rain.” Some people exhort. They sometime correct in love or other times point
out your defects. You need them to rub
off your rough edges. They are a
blessing in disguise. They say things
like, “Are you going to wear that blouse?” You do not have to ask, “Why do you like it on me?” because of the way
they say it, you know. Some people teach
you skills. Some share their talents
with you. Some people are just good examples. You will want to follow in their footsteps. Some people you can laugh with. Call them when depression tries to set up
camp in your heart. Some people you can cry with.These people have climbed the mountain of
suffering and made it to the other side. They are also the people who give you a hug when our hearts cry out, “Does
anybody care about me?” They are usually
the only ones who notice you have a tear in your eye. Some people are too busy, to notice, usually because
they need a hug themselves. When in
doubt, hug the busy and grumpy people, just in case. It may help them to open up their heart. Love heals.
It will be amazing
how many gifts you will get to know if you take the time! As you journey the path of your life, look for
the treasures in the hearts of the people you meet along the way. When treasure hunting for gifts, don’t only
open the ones beautifully wrapped. All
gifts count, even the ones without the “bows!”
You may find a bigger treasure in the one wrapped only in in white
tissue paper. Once built up with love, a
less noticed gift can grow to be the most treasured gift of all. Take the time to unwrap the gift slowly and
carefully so that you do not break it, or crush the inner treasure of the heart,
and never get to really enjoy the inner beauty. All gifts should be treasured, not re-gifted, or set aside alone on a
shelf to collect dust. Shower all you
meet with encouraging words, listen to their story, be the good example, and
let them know you care.
Everyone has a story to tell which is worth listening to. Everyone has a hurt that needs healing. Everyone has a gift to share with the
world. Everyone is on this earth to make
a difference. As we treasure the gift
with love, and pour out our gifts upon them, we enable their gifts to grow.
They then become confident enough in their gifts to share them with the world. Go on a treasure hunt; see what gift you can
discover each day. Take the time to look
beyond the outer wrappings to see the hidden person within. Do not miss the gifts within your own
home. Maybe you have never taken the
time to treasure the gift of your child, your parent, your siblings or even
your spouse. Maybe even the gift you
have failed to unwrapped is the gift of yourself.
Take the time today to do it, because it is
never too late. Slowly, carefully, and
diligently, unwrap the present in your heart.
Once these gifts are revealed you are more gifted to make a difference
in this world. Who knows you may even be
able to throw the world one big surprise party, with gifts alive everywhere. Until then strive daily to treasure the gifts
in all you meet. This is what makes the journey of life worthwhile. Journey on!
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