It was Halloween and home they came.  Their bags were filled with gobs of sugary treats.  Now came the sorting process, as they sat around the kitchen table going through their bag, putting aside the ones they really like and offering the others to the parents.  in the interests of safety and saving a few teeth we pared down the collection, some were discarded.   During the “sorting” many pieces were going straight in the mouth; that’s OK it was Halloween.  Then came the sibling bargaining.  You don’t like that one anyway, so I’ll trade you for this one.   As the bartering slowed down, mother entered the picture with her unwelcome rules.  Pick out a couple for your lunchbox tomorrow, and then we’ll put the rest away for another day.  She was no fun at all!

Does a scene something like this happen when we receive a windfall of “stuff” from God?  Peace, grace, forgiveness, healing, strength, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord?   It’s just too much isn’t it, more than we can fathom.  OK, speaking only for myself, I can picture the scene where I accept healing; oh Lord that would be wonderful.  Wisdom, now that’s a welcome gift as well in this world of conflicting ideas.  But Lord, today I’m off to a family reunion, could we save piety for another time?  And forgiveness, yes that’s welcome, but I’m not quite ready to forgive that neighbor who irritated me so.

God’s gifts are far greater than a bag of Halloween candy.  But they too can seem overwhelming.  I asked for healing, but he gave me patience.  I wanted wisdom; I received fear of the Lord.  It seems like I don’t even know what to ask for!  Lord, help me to be open to you.   Let me accept your gifts with thanksgiving.  Let me use your gifts as you would have me do.

A Bible verse that talks about using gifts for God’s glory is 1 Peter 4:10. It says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace … ”¹²

God’s love is unconditional; his gifts are beyond our comprehension.  Praise be to God!

Judy