Written Christmas 2015
Sometimes, our presents becomes a bargaining chip for acceptance. We shouldn’t have to do anything beyond being ourselves to be God’s greatest gift to others. When we embrace this truth, authentic giving will naturally flow from an authentic life!
In 2015, I embarked on a journey to the vibrant San Jose area, eager to reconnect with family and friends. Upon my arrival, I anticipated collecting those long-awaited checks for work I had completed, only to be met with profuse apologies. Apparently, they had been mailed off earlier! With no credit cards on hand, I navigated the week with just a sprinkle of cash I had on me.
Leaving Auburn, I missed my one Christmas gift: a delectable edible arrangement from a dear friend. However, the warmth of family and friends more than made up for it. On a Sunday, at a singles group where I’ve built connections over two decades, a spontaneous collection was taken up to appreciate my work on the website. I was stunned by this unexpected act of generosity! It was a reminder that the most precious gifts are often the ones we don’t anticipate. I managed to get through the week and finally returned home to the promised checks, ready to tackle my bills with renewed vigor.
Reflecting on that experience, I came to a profound realization. In a season where I couldn’t give material gifts, I discovered that my most precious offering was my presence. They reciprocated with their own, and we embodied the essence of connection in that exchange. This experience underscored the value of authentic connections in our lives. Just as Jesus bestowed His presence upon us, we, too, can offer our presence as a gift. As the saying goes, ‘The best things are not things!’
Let’s be honest; it’s a tall order to extricate ourselves from societal expectations and the seductive allure of marketing. What people yearn for most isn’t a material gift but an authentic listening ear. We offer something far more valuable than mere words when we show up as a genuine person.
The ultimate gift we can extend is our emotionally healthy spirituality. Can we dare to show up as someone said, with “nothing to hide, lose, or prove”?
That, my friends, represents the finest version of our presence. Sadly, presents can sometimes become a bargaining chip for acceptance, as if we need to earn our place at the table. Yet, nothing is required of us beyond being ourselves to be God’s most precious gift to others. When we embody this truth, authentic giving will surely flow from the wellspring of authentic living!
So, let’s dare to give ourselves to God anew this season! May we allow Him to gift us back to one another: humbled, grateful, and speechless. Perhaps pure joy will erupt from the depths of our innermost being!
Fast forward to now, and I’ve been happily married for nearly ten years. We traded the chaos of California for the charming serenity of North Carolina. Despite the COVID crisis and inflation challenges, we’ve been blessed to purchase a delightful townhouse and drive a nearly new car that’s paid off! My wife has landed an impressive three-book contract, and I am flooded with fulfilling work.
Living in the presence of love and acceptance truly is the greatest gift. It wraps us in the undeserved temporal blessings bestowed upon us by the grace of God. As it states in Ephesians 2:8 (NIV), “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Indeed, let us cherish this gift and share it freely with those around us!
What can you learn from similar experiences in your life?
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