How Deep Is Your Gratitude?

The house is quiet. After weeks of planning and anticipation, all of our houseguests have returned to their respective homes. Our grandchildren’s squeals of excitement no longer echo through the house. The various conversations and shared laughter have been silenced by time and distance – relegated to phone calls and video chats until we meet again.

The gifts have all been opened. The pieces of ribbon and scraps of wrapping paper have been discarded. Left in their place are precious memories that I can pull out one by one and savor at my leisure.

As I reminisce about our family’s time together, I find myself thinking about the tradition of giving gifts. I love giving gifts. I love shopping for the perfect thing to give each person. I love watching their reactions when they open their present and discover what’s inside.

This year it was particularly fun to watch our 2 year old granddaughter. She loved the entire process and was just as excited about tearing the wrapping paper away as she was in the actual gift. But there was something very special about watching the reactions of each member of our family, sitting in our living room, sharing this special time together so full of love and excitement. It was a blessing to witness their joy.

I wonder if God feels the same way when we “open” one of His gifts? There are many examples in the Bible of His generosity.  Take Genesis 1 for example. I’ve read this passage many times, but recently I was struck by the amount of love He put into each detail of creation. He could have fashioned the entire universe with one “big bang”, but He didn’t. Instead, He very meticulously crafted every minute detail in a specific order for a precise purpose until He saw it “was very good”. 

Are we even capable of comprehending the wonder and beauty of it all? Are we aware enough to notice all He provides for us every day? We certainly cannot outgive God, but we must ask ourselves if our response to His loving generosity sufficiently conveys the depth of our gratitude.

I believe God loves giving presents, too. I believe He delights in choosing the perfect gifts for each one of us. I believe He loves seeing our reactions as we discover each new blessing. Our response may say a lot about our spiritual maturity and relationship with Him. Does it honor Him? Does it glorify Him? 

I pray God opens my eyes anew each day to discover His gifts, not because I deserve them but because He loves me. I pray I never take His generosity for granted. I pray I delight in the discovery with the exuberance and joy of a child. I pray my response brings Him honor and glory. I pray He delights in my reactions to His generosity. And with each one, I pray I grow more like Him.

Because, really, don’t you think He would love to hear, “Wow! This is the bestest present ever! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!