There is such great joy in giving; it really is a heart thing. The heart is moved to give out of love, or affinity, and the thought is birthed - "What gift shall I give?" The excitement grows as gift after gift is reviewed, until just the right thing is found. Purchase complete, the item is either gladly carried home or delivered to the inpatient giver. Next the gift is properly adorned in bright wrapping materials. Our anxious hearts reach a fever pitch by the time we come to hand our gift off to the recipient. Our heart may feel a flutter as the beautiful wrapping is torn asunder and we silently wonder, will they like it, will it satisfy, will it not? The package is finally opened, the gift revealed and the eyes tell all; happiness and joy, or flat and blank - disappointment. It is heart rendering, the waiting.
What determines the hearts aspect? Why are some givers and some keepers? I am calling the non-giving heart a keeper for my ease. Why are some hands open, and some tightly fisted. You may think I have the answers. The heart that gives is an open heart, a heart that is other focused. Not to say the giving heart was always thus, giving may be learned. What makes a keeper? This penchant too may be a learned behavior. What prods each heart to perform in the manner that it does? This is an age old argument to be sure. For myself, giving was learned. As a polio survivor, I received many gifts, most of them small. My favorites were crayons and coloring materials. I loved receiving gifts, and knew how it felt to receive, which prompted me to want that feeling for others.
The best and most perfect gift ever delivered was sent from above. I mean of course the gift of our Lord, Jesus. The Bible says, "God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life." (ERV). God sent his gift here as a helpless infant, fully vulnerable, open and human, to be the savior of the world. He was not wrapped as we expect gifts to be wrapped today, nevertheless, his is a free gift for us to accept or reject. Like any other gift, this gift must be accepted to be used.
What about you, are you a giver; are you a keeper? What is your favorite gifting method? What is the best gift you've ever received?
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The best gift I’ve ever received would indeed be Jesus. From another person, it would have to be unconditional love.
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