The Perfect Gift

 
 Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows. 

James 1:17 NIV

Good Morning, Girlfriends!

Do you have any specific plans for today? Errands to run? Never-ending to-do list to check off? My guess is you answered "yes" to all of the above because you are after-all a WOMAN!

Gifts

I am feeling pretty good about my to-do list this week. Slowly, I am removing more items than I am adding each day. It is a good feeling for sure! One urgent element pressing on me last week was lingering Christmas gift returns. Here we are, mid-January, and yes, I still have Christmas gift returns to complete. The reason for my delay is directly related to where I now live: Traffic. Traffic. Traffic. And more traffic.

In order to reach the shopping mall where my rejected item was purchased, I have to traverse the crazy, concrete fairway called John Mosby Highway. Under construction the first half of the way to the mall and under heavy use during peak hours of the day the second half of the trip, I have vowed not to wander out before ten am nor past three pm unless I face dire emergency, such as running out of chocolate or ice cream. You know what I mean, ladies! Hence, my delay in making the gift return until now.

Well, I can actually credit my daughter and Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale for the motivation to finally maneuver our way to the mall. While she shopped for over-priced scraps of fabric with miniscule cotton crotches...errrr, I mean, while she searched for the incredible, amazing under-garment bargains, I made my way to the Apple Store to complete my mission. A young, friendly employee greeted me at the entrance of the store. I presented my item to him along with a receipt and a smile. After examining my merchandise, he glanced back up at me, and I flashed him a "please-be-kind-to-me, I-drove-John Mosby Highway-to-get-here" smile. He grinned back, whipped out his iphone-looking device, swiped a card, asked me to sign, and voila, my return was complete. (As a side-note, I have to mention that Apple throws the knock-out punch to stores like Kohls in the gift return arena. While I spent thirty minutes in a line at Kohls that wound through Childrens, Mens, Linens, and Ladies Apparel in order to return one pair of sweatpants, I never even stepped both feet into the Apple Store and was finished in less than five minutes.)

Finished, but not quite. Handing back my original receipt, young Mr. Apple Employee delivered the kicker: "Just so you know, in the future, you missed the return date. I made an exception because you had not opened it, but you were supposed to return this by December 30th." Oooh. Ouch. I had been granted grace and kindness by someone twenty-five years my junior, and he wanted to make sure I knew it! I thanked him warmly and went on my way.

Imperfect Gifts

Strolling slowly through the mall, according my daughter ample time to hunt bargain bras, I contemplated Christmas gift giving. Each fall, I spend an abundant amount of time searching for the perfect gift for each person on my list--a gift that will reveal the love and care in my heart for the recipient as well as appeal to his or her interests, personality, or occupation. I research brand, model, and label; I read reviews and solicit opinions. I inquire about size, color, and style. I battle for availability, delivery, and best price. Once in hand, I seek the ideal hiding place or creatively conceal the item before placing under the tree. The entire process is quite laborious and tedious, yet as a woman, especially satisfying and gratifying....until the day after Christmas!

Returns. Replacements. Regifting. Recycling.
Rejection.

Perfect Gifts

We can easily be offended, as well as give offense, over the entire gifting process unless we acknowledge that our gifts are imperfect, albeit genuine attempts at imitating the perfect Gift Giver. Only God can deliver the flawless Gift each of us not only desires but also requires. How do you know it is the perfect gift? Once received, you will never consider to return, resell, or give it away; never declare the wrong size, color, or type; never desire another gift as much as this one.While at times, this gift may twist, turn, squeeze, shape, remake, and remold you, in the end, you would not trade it for all of the gold nor all of the power in this world. God truly offers the only Perfect Gift.

Girlfriends, Jesus Christ is the ultimate Gift--perfect in every way. In Jesus, God gives us Himself.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 NIV
 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? John 14:9 NIV

Ladies, have you intentionally received and opened your Gift from God? If not, what is holding you back? Tear open the package and marvel at the priceless present you have been offered.

Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving, so to speak. Through Him, you are granted new life, a new birth.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18

Freely confessing your sin and accepting Jesus offers you eternal life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

You will also receive the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, a helper and counselor who will never leave you.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

By the Holy Spirit, you procure fruits: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23 NIV)

Did I mention the attainment of wisdom? Who among us does not need a little of that one?
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV 

Finally, while all of the above sounds wonderful and amazing for ourselves, the true result of gifting us with Jesus, is that God is glorified through us, in us, and for us. Reciprocity. We receive; we give back. We are united as one with a perfect and holy God if we only humble ourselves and graciously accept what is offered. 
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11

Open Your Gift

I pray today, Girlfriends, that you remove whatever wrappings are covering your gift (sin, pride, lust, envy, low self-esteem, greed, etc.), toss them aside, and take ownership of the greatest gift ever given you. Celebrate! And, p.s., do not forget to send a thank you card!!!

Love and peace to you all!!