Unexpected gifts

The other day, while rummaging through my closet for the ever-elusive "other shoe," I found a box full of things I brought home from my office when I retired. There it was -- the book she gave, as a parting gift -- "Oh, the Places You Will Go!" "Yes, gladly out the door, I thought." It was trendy at the time for mentors to make symbolic gifts of this inspirational Dr. Seuss book. I'm not sure if I hate the sight of it because it was so trite at the time, or because I still have a little twinge of un-forgiveness for the many other thing she gave me --self-doubt, nerve-racking days, and sleepless nights. I really need to get over that.

Something rather earth-shattering occurred to me this morning, as I prayed and thanked God for His goodness. As humans, even as good, "God-fearing" people, we often make mistakes. We hurt people unintentionally deeply--without even knowing it. If we, who are well-meaning, and generally kind, can sometimes unwittingly deliver a heartache to someone, can't someone who is generally, seemingly selfish and spiteful, sometimes give something good? That is, if good people can accidentally do bad things, can't bad people accidentally do good things? Can God use your enemies to help you, or even bless you?

God's word tells us a few things that are certainly on-point with regard to this concept. All good things come from Him, and his unfailing love is so vast it stretches as far as the heavens. It's always there, even when we don't see it. It's sometimes given to us in unexpected ways, so we don't receive it. Sometimes good news comes from a "caller unknown," and gifts don't always come in pretty packages. Today, look for the gifts God is trying to send you. A funny moment. A valuable insight. A path to new opportunities. If they are good, they are from God--even when they are dropped off on your desk by the enemy.

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.

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