Monday, June 15, 2009

The Giver and the Gift

As a child, Christmas filled my heart with excitement. I couldn't wait to rip open my gifts and play with them. However, one rule stood firm in our house. You read the card out loud, opened the gift, and then went over to the person and thanked them. If the gift came via mail, a phone call followed receipt of the present.

Every day, God blesses us in countless ways. When He opens the door for publication, do we go charging through without first expressing our appreciation? In our exuberance, do we forget that He is the giver of this writing gift, and we are stewards of it?

The next time we open an acceptance letter, before the Snoopy Dance and whoops of joy, let's breathe a prayer of thanksgiving to the One, who gave us this talent.

10 comments:

Jody Hedlund said...

Great point, Susan! I love the way you were trained as a child! I try to do that with my children, but haven't been as consistent in making it a "rule." But that's a really good idea. And it certainly does apply to our writing too! I want my first reaction to any good gift to be in giving glory to God!

Terri Tiffany said...

How true! I try to always remember to thank Him first for everything. Cause I certainly know I didn't have anything to do with it!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Susan, for this great reminder. Thanksgiving and gratitude should always come first before we celebrate our blessings.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Susan: Blessings to you, dear, for reminding us of this. Like the nine lepers, we often forget to thank Jesus for our good gifts.
Have a fun week,
Jen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jody -

Sorry for the delay in responding to your comment. We were away for the weekend. :)

I've been reading Ecclesiastes. Solomon's wisdom is evident, but somehow he became so enamored with the gift that he drifted away from the giver.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jen -

This is another great example of people getting excited about the blessings and forgetting about the one who gave them.

Thanks for reminding us about this story.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Thanks for another reason to be grateful. Just because we work hard to develop the gift God gave us doesn't mean we get the credit.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

I don't want to forget that it is the Lord, who gives me the ability to write. Without His inspiration, His direction, and His favor, my puny efforts would lack the ability to touch hearts.

Blessings,
Susan :)

quietspirit said...

Susan:
You are so right. We do need to thank Him for giving us this gift.

Thank you for the reminder.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

Thanks for your comment. I'm sure everyone realizes the importance of thanking God for His gifts, but it's good to bring it to bring that lesson out on occasion.

Blessings,
Susan :)