Try as hard as I could, I could not remember what my wife gave me for Christmas. Finally, as carefully worded as possible, I asked her what she got me. Do not. I repeat. Do not ever do this. I will be hearing about this for years to come. Ringing in my ears are comments like “Well, I remember what you got me” and “I can tell it made a real impression.” Ouch. The fine art of receiving is more important than giving.
I once heard a student proclaim that no one ever gave her anything. I asked if she still lived at home. “Well, of course,” came the response. “I’m only 15.” “And do you pay room and board” I asked. “Of course not, I don’t have a job” was the answer. To which I said something very pithy. “Hum.”
Perhaps Psalm 100 is the second best psalm. “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His loving kindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations.”
We are receivers. Each beat of our hearts, each breath we take are gifts. When we learn to give thanks, we understand our place in this vast universe. None of us are self-made anything. What we give is minuscule to what we have received. Try to remember so someday you will not have to say to God, “I can’t remember what you gave me.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 21, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org