Gifts....

Today, as I was waiting out a torrential thunderstorm, I heard a big "bump"...figuring it was storm related, I didn't pay much attention to it.  Later, when I went to go out for the day, I discovered a box on my doorstep....it's early mind you...around 8AM.

I took the box and my coffee into the house, and even though it was package I ordered, I felt a certain amount of excitement and anticipation as I ripped into it...I found, Christmas gifts for Ellie and others

box of goodies

  It's such fun to receive gifts! It's rewarding to give gifts....but, I think it's most important to be thankful for gifts.  The gifts we are given every day.  The gift of a smile well timed, a kind word, a sunset, a good cup of coffee, even things we don't always receive as gifts.  Things like running late, that take us out of harms way when a traffic accident happens, or a routine Xray that discovers an unknown lesion.  These things are not coincidence, really they're providence, all a part of God's plan.  The plan that he has to PROSPER us, to GIVE us a FUTURE with HOPE, to PROTECT us and LOVE us, no matter what....what better gift could we ever have?  Sure, I still like the wrapping and ripping, but somehow my day has a different tone to it now....all because of a cardboard box....on my porch this morning.  Thank you GOD for the gift of you.  Help me to be more aware of my gifts everyday.....those delivered to me, those I give, and those that come disguised as annoyances.  They are all gifts, and for that I am thankful.

What a promise!  What a gift!