Receptive Heart

Imagine a Christmas morning when your loved ones refuse to open the gifts you got them.

"No thanks," they say flippantly, "I don't need anything; I'm fine with what I have."

"What?" you respond, shocked by their adamant refusal.

You try to convince them, but those little stinkers stand firm, their hearts closed to your loving generosity.

So, the customized and unique treasures of joy lie unopened and unused, just sitting there, collecting dust.

Seriously?

After all we went through to find the perfect gifts they needed?

Those ungrateful little.......

I fear this is how we treat the gifts God offers us.

Our self-reliance, insecurity, and stubbornness fool us into thinking we don't need or deserve the gifts God offers us.

Lies. From. The. Pit. Of. Hell.

God knows what we need even when we don't. After all, He created us and knows exactly what we need to survive and thrive in this life.

We cannot do this journey alone, beloved. I think we've realized that by now.

God gives us the unique skills and talents that He knitted within us to bring light into the world.

God sent us Jesus to save us and the Holy Spirit to guide us.

God sent us helpers to give us the hope, faith, and support we need to weather life's storms.

Don't you want to open every gift God has for you?

Don't you want to arrive in Heaven hearing God say, "You did it! You used it all, and look at what we did! I am so proud of you!"

I don't want to leave one gift unopened that God has prepared for me.

I want to receive the love, rescue, kindness, understanding, support, help, forgiveness, and encouragement that God offers.

On this Christmas morning, as presents are torn open and the chaos ensues, I challenge you to pause for a minute and think about the gifts God has given you.

Have you opened them all and used them?

Or are there still some waiting for you to open?

Don't be afraid.

Don't waste time.

Don't let those gifts sit there unopened and unused.

God loves you so much and wants to give you the gifts you need.

All you have to do is receive them.

And, if I may, I'd like to recommend that you tear 'em open like a sugar-filled toddler would.

As you receive those gifts and open them with reckless abandon, you will see that God knows you better than anyone and gives you the perfect gifts that you need in this life.

Receive the love, you beautiful and beloved child of God, and be grateful for every gift as you open each one.

I can't wait to hear what you got!

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Isaiah 54:10

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Romans 5:5

And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.