Giving Vs. Receiving

Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! ~ Matthew 7:7-11

Having had only one daughter out of my two children, she has laid claim to any jewelry I might hand down the line one day. In particular, this claim was to a ring I had had handed down to me by my grandmother, who had passed away at the young age of 53 due to cancer. The stones were part of her mother’s wedding set - one fourth of the diamonds and sapphires went to each of the three daughters and one daughter-in-law and placed into a setting of their choice. My daughter didn’t expect it to go to her for many years yet, but as a special gift to her for a big moment in her life I decided no greater gift could be given to mark this particular occasion and milestone. I wanted to see her enjoy it as much as I had for the many years I wore it, remembering my grandmother that had passed so young in life, yet had always made a point of showing her love to me when we were together.

My mother, in seeing this event unfold, proceeded to hand down her original wedding set (that had been reset into one ring 30 years ago) to me for my birthday (the significance that I had just turned the age at which her mother had passed had not occurred to her). I had no idea this was coming, but was overwhelmed by the love with which it was given to me. In addition to the ring, it was given to me in a special little jewelry box with my name on the heart-shaped key charm that decorates the lock on the front of the box. This particular box was chosen by my father. He insisted that my first and middle name be on the charm when they purchased it. This additional touch made the gift even more meaningful to me - that not only was my mother handing down to me their symbol of love, but that they were personalizing it specifically for me.

God sent us the greatest gift of all - His one and only Son - to bring us all back into a relationship with Him. The love and sacrifice Jesus was sent to give to us and demonstrate to all around Him is what we are to emulate and pass on as a heritage in our lifetime to others. Christmas is the season of gift giving, but the greastest gift we have to offer one another - both family and stranger to us - is the love and service we have to offer in the name of Jesus Christ. Not only are our hearts warmed by giving this most amazing gift to others, but we receive the approval from our Heavenly Father for these gifts given in the name of His Son. Let the celebration begin today and continue year round to share our love and service with everyone we encounter!

Prayer

Dearest Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your greatest gift of love and sacrifice all wrapped up in Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we emulate Your greatest gift by sharing this gift in the name of Your Son - handing down this heirloom of love and service to all we encounter. Amen.

~ Wendy Miller