“She’s gifted,” her teachers said. So they put her in special classes to learn faster and go further. And she went faster, and then wondered, “now what?” because faster isn’t always better.
“He’s gifted in music,” they said. And so he ran after the applause of the world and gained it sometimes, and wondered often what was real beyond the applause, and what meant more for always.
I didn’t care for that sweater/wall hanging/candle/kitchen gadget, so I re-gifted it at a white elephant party and got lots of laughs.
“I’ve gifted this to you,” He said. And I unwrap Light, and Life, and Forever in Love. And this gift, nothing can take it away.
The pretty packages beneath our tree are all tied up with string, and the lights are twinkling in the branches above. The candles are lit, and the ginger and chocolate and coffee and cinnamon aroma wafts from our kitchen. The college boy is home and the little have a break from school, and we’re staying up late and laughing much.
But in a few days, the pretty paper will be a trail from room to room, the lights will be packed away, and the gifts given will either be oft-appreciated, or sadly, forgotten in a closet… or perhaps re-gifted themselves. And when that which is temporary has passed, I want to hold tightly to the gift that is mine every minute, of every day, of all my years on this earth. The love of my Savior-God, who gave all He had and all He was, to rescue me from my own folly. The One who gives me that gift every time I forget it, and reminds me of what is real.
Merry Christmas, friend. May you walk in your giftedness, as well.
Much love!
{On Fridays I try to keep up with a wonderful group of writers who challenge themselves to free-write for five minutes on a shared topic. Click to Kate’s page Five Minute Friday to see what others are saying!
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
December 18, 2015 at 4:25 pmWhat a deep post, and what profound perspective.
It’s hard to hold onto the Gift, sometimes, in the barrage of Christmas ‘gifts’. Speaking as one with severe PTSD, the hardest thing about the season is the transience…I find that I can’t bear to see the temporal joy, which should be a reflection of the Eternal, packed away, and the lovely paper consigned to the rubbish-tip. I have seen deep heartbreak; and a temporary simulacrum of joy is very hard to take.
I sometimes wonder if the Spirit of Christmas, and the true meaning of the Gift, burns brightest in the hearts of the combat infantrymen who surely stand eternal post at the manger, and in whose hearts the spirit of Christmas may well burn the brightest. They have seen hell, and the Killer Angels know that they must hold tight to Heaven.
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser recently posted…Your Dying Spouse 95 – Perspective’s Shoes {FMF}
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December 18, 2015 at 6:39 pmAndrew, every time I read your heart, I am in awe again at the beauty of the kingdom… the incredible wealth of knowledge of all the facets of our God that we would miss if we did not have our brothers and sisters. I’m continually awed by the beauty of your brokenness, and the honesty that pushes me to run to Him. And I’m given glimpses of the joy that awaits us when we meet in person with our family around the world, and with those who have gone before us. Thank you, brother…
Mary Hill
December 18, 2015 at 5:55 pmAs I meet new bloggers, it is so good to find those who love God and want to serve Him. Thank you. I love that He gives us the greatest gift of all. 😉
Mary Hill recently posted…V in Thanksgiving: Victory
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December 18, 2015 at 6:36 pmMary – that’s my favorite! Thank you for coming by to say hi… it’s nice to “meet” you. Have the most blessed Christmas, sister!
Jeanne Takenaka
December 18, 2015 at 6:24 pmAngela, what a beautiful post. As a mother who has one of those gifted children, I sometimes worry for him, that he’ll grow bored of the learning and lose the joy of exploring the world around him.
But, even more than that, I want to live with that Gift God has given us, the gift of His presence, His Son and the promise of eternal life. How do I live out the acceptance of that Gift on a daily basis? Not very well, some days.
I so appreciate your perspective. Next Friday, when the wrapping paper is in the trash, the gifts are put away, there’s one Gift I want to carry close to me throughout every day. I’m thankful for a Gift that never grows old, shrinks or decays. And, I’m thankful for your reminder. I hope your Christmas is a special, love-filled one with your son and other kiddos home!
Jeanne Takenaka recently posted…Tender: Jesus’ Reflection Through Us
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December 18, 2015 at 6:36 pmJeanne – the thing I love most about Five Minute Fridays is the connection to kindred spirits… brothers and sisters who remind me to cling to our sweet Jesus… to go deeper in our walk with Him and to love more widely. Thank you for taking the time to share back. Have a beautiful Christmas, sister!