I like receiving gifts- and I love giving them, too. But it’s hard choosing for some people!
Thinking about their likes, their general interests, any special talent or hobby; then locating something suitable I can afford or create, and getting everything ready on time. Oh, it can be stressful! But so worthwhile if what is given in love is received with joy. But if a gift is not valued, and is therefore left discarded and unwanted, how disappointing is that?
One of my spiritual habits is choosing to notice stuff. Often, this is something beautiful or intriguing on my path through a day. Loving nature, I look for the variety of life-signs around. It can be a sunset, a cute creature, a flower- often something easily overlooked. Patterns on the sand, reflections, a backdrop of mountains, can all be “speaking” to me. Or it might be a ruin, or a vehicle, or someone “caught in the moment”. I can’t control what will be on my way: but I can decide to SEE it.
I’ve reached the conclusion that these things are all gifts. I choose to believe that Father God loves to communicate through these gifts: and He gives out of His loving kindness, compassion, and Self. These are grace-gifts. I can choose to appreciate and interpret them; I can ask for His help in understanding and in applying them- and choose to enjoy the process of loving and being loved.
I value the gifts because I know that grace reaches out to us, and in receiving grace I am made a better (holier? more complete?) person- which may allow me to be a blessing and encouragement. If I spurn the gift, I make it of no value. That choice means I fail to value the Giver, and saddens the One who loves me above my comprehension.
The photo is a very ordinary (but beautiful) zinnia, adorned by a Small White butterfly. Easy to ignore. Yet closer examination sees the golden “crown” in the zinnia’s centre; and the butterfly is delicately constructed and carefully marked. As it sucks up nectar, fuel for its next fluttering dance, it rests even as it contrasts magnificently to the flower and neutral green background. Isn’t it lovely? Worth noticing: and worth a moment of praise and thankfulness to the Artist who painted the scene.
I wonder if God sometimes find us hard to choose gifts for? Or finds us ungrateful? If we’re not careful, we can know the price of everything- and the value of nothing.
Grace gave the gift, and our heart decides on its value.
The Reflectionary 