40 Days 40 Gifts Day 13

Today I had another day of not giving any gifts. I can’t tell you why – there isn’t a particular reason except that I just overlooked it during the day. But one thing I did reflect on today was how many gifts I receive – small gifts and larger gifts. Over the weekend I was in Cape Town for a meeting. I stayed with my aunt and uncle and visited a good friend who recently moved down to Cape Town. And in the two days I was there I received so many gifts.

First up was the gift of a place to stay which my aunt and uncle graciously provided along with great food, many cups of coffee and good conversation. Then there was the gift of a bed which my cousin provided when she gave up her bedroom (she had to share with her brother) so I could have a place to sleep. On Sunday afternoon I was treated to a lovely picnic lunch on the beach and a beautiful bottle of wine, everything fully catered by my friends Lisa and Zane. I received so many gifts this weekend, and it made me feel so special.

It also made me realise how difficult it is sometimes to accept gifts. Not so much at the time of one’s birthday but receiving gifts from people for no reason at all is sometimes difficult. Do you for instance battle to accept a compliment? I know I do? Or when friends invite you around for dinner, do you feel the need to reciprocate? Why do find it do difficult to receive? I’m not sure I know why. Perhaps it is just a personal fault rather than a widespread trend but this weekend I found myself for the first time in a long time graciously accepting what was given to me – accepting them as gifts. So thank you to everyone who made my weekend in Cape Town so great.

LESSON 13 – We need to learn to recognise and accept the many gifts we are given each and every day.
Posted by LaurenG on Tuesday, March 09, 2010

3 comment(s):

  1. yes we do need to accept the gifts and recognise them ,i think we think to much on what we would like to have gotten or hoped for rather than be gratefull for what we have received, i find it so ironic that you THINK you have not been giving any gifts but you have , you gave time today to blog you have given yourself by splitting yourself up to plan for people , organise ,blog ,spoil your freinds , work , clean house and so much more you as a person are a gift and you make a difference.
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  2. Interesting blog La, I have found that true gifting is Holy Spirit inspired...it is that subtle voice the speaks to you...suggesting strongly that you turn your car around and give whats in your wallet to the person walking down the road , its the same voice that holds you accountable when you don't....becomming louder as you drive further on. I'm sure you have been there.

    (Henry M. Morris, Ph.D) wrote:
    Human gifts are imperfect often wrongly motivated, frequently unappreciated, always defective and often temporary

    I tend to agree - yet I have found that when guided by the Holy Spirit my giving has been at its most honest, purest in intention and most appreciated.

    The Holy Spirit has often frustrated me...challenging me to reach out in the most akward of situations...like the Mr delivery man walking through Eastgate....the Voice to reach out to him was deafening...until I obeyed.... th result was humbling to say the least.

    There have also been times when my own conscience suggests that I give - because it is the right thing to do.... but that Voice is no where to be heard. I think its distinguishing between our conscience and the voice of the Holy Spirit that humans a like find difficult.

    In a nut shell... I beleive the key to gifting in the "truest" sense is not human conscience directed - but rather Holy spirit inspired...we are merely called to obey.

    But possibly the most important lesson on giving is in Matthew chapter 6, 1-8
    "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" World English Bible

    All the best on your journey...I have found your blog thought provoking.
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  3. Thanks for the comments. I can't agree more and I think I'll reflect a little on your point about the Holy Spirit inspired gifting. I have certainly come accross this in the past few days. Thanks for the inspiration!
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