February 22, 2012: The Gift of Polished Toes

3 gifts that changed today:

• The privilege of praying for a sister in Christ right at the time she was having a medical procedure.  Prayed for peace to wash over her.  She shared in an email tonight that she did feel God's peace as she went through the surgery. 
• Lunch with my fellow Bible study leaders.  We shared good food and sweet fellowship. It is always a precious gift to spend time together.
• A pedicure.  I have been saving a half-off coupon for a nearby nail salon and today was the day.  What a treat and my toes look great.

February 20, 2012: Gifts at Every Meal

a gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner:

• Insight.  I read a devotional from Jesus Calling again at breakfast and one of the Scripture references was Colossians 3:15.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  The first word, "let" really caught my attention. It said to me that it wasn't just an automatic thing, that it required some cooperation on my part. Jesus isn't just going to overtake me with his peace, he wants me to desire it and to allow it, for me to submit to his peace. I also looked up the root meaning of the word "let" in the original Greek.  It was defined as 1) to be an umpire 2) to decide, determine 3) to direct, control, rule.  To be an umpire!  Wow--I love that imagery.  I must submit to Christ's authority as the umpire of my heart, to concede his ability make the calls, to have the final decision (and he doesn't need instant replay).   
• Love.  My husband sent me a quick "I love you" text during the lunch hour.  The high point of my day.  The little things do mean a lot.
• Contentment.  A few quiet moments to sit at the dinner table with my husband.  It's a blessing to have someone I love to listen as I tell about my day and then to return the favor.  

February 5, 2012: Stitched in with Love

one gift stitched, one hammered, one woven:

• one gift stitched: me, and the comfort and peace it brings to know that. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5).   He keeps me protected and warm, stitched in by his loving care.
• one gift hammered: the keyboard and drums during worship in church this morning.  My church's worship band is among the best I've ever heard and I love to worship there more than anywhere else.  There is the most beautiful spirit of truth and love when we sing together in praise to our God. 
• one gift woven: the complexity and richness of God's Word.  Heard a teaching at church this morning that once again revolutionized a passage of Scripture that I've heard many times.  Acts 12:1-17 is the story of Peter's miraculous release from prison.  It's also an archetype of my (and your) miraculous release from the prison of our own making. We all create prisons for ourselves, prisons built by choices to addictions like anger, fear, jealousy, approval, money, anxiety, work.  The miracle is that all it takes for our release is the choice to reach out and take the outstretched hand of the one who died to set us free.  "The Spirit of the Lord is on me [Jesus], because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free."  (Luke 4:18)

February 4, 2012: Looking for Good Gifts in Times of Trial

3 gifts found when bent down:  Not doing much literal bending down today because frankly it's painful, so I am counting gifts found when bent down with an injury to the muscle in my arm.

• the depth of my husband's love.  Not being able to get yourself dressed is rather humbling, but my dear husband truly is glad to help me in any and every way.  It's nice to know that's still true after 26 1/2 years of marriage. 
• contentment.  For the first couple of days, I thought I would go nuts just sitting around, not able to do much.  Today I find myself more at peace.
• single-mindedness.  I can't multi-task, so I am forced to focus on the one thing I can do at a time with one hand.

There is always blessing in suffering when we count it as joy, looking for the good, looking for God. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

February 1, 2012: Gifts Around the Clock

a gift found at 11:30 am, at 2:30 pm, at 6:30 pm:

• at 11:30: the peace that comes after Bible study finishes, the blessing of joy, a contentment that comes from living out my passion.  A Gift with a capital G.
• at 2:30: laughing out loud at an email from a friend.  Laughter is good medicine and a good gift.
• at 6:30: a quiet night with my husband, nothing on the calendar.  A pot of turkey black bean chili and time to spend together.  Gifts of food for the body and soul.