Christmas eve has arrived at the Haliski house bringing with it many different goodies. A special dinner is prepared, consumed with many 'yuuum' utterings, much to the delight of the cook. All things cleared away. the cozy living room is where you'll find us for the remainder of the evening. A small Christmas tree in one corner, lights up the rest of the room in all it's splendor, and under it awaits presents from far away. We've taken time to read the story of Christmas, given thanks, and for a little while ribbon is carefully untied, wrapping removed with much effort put in to not ripping it, oohs, aaahhhs and statements like " this is just what I wanted" or " wow, look, this is cool" float through the air.
One question though, is asked over and over again............
Who is it from?
James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
I read a story - a friend of mine received an unexpected and at first, unwanted gift. This gift would replace the contact lenses she had destroyed in an act of faith in hope of healing. Healing hadn't happened yet, and she didn't want to accept the gift as that also would have meant accepting defeat and suggested a lack of faith. But she trusted the one who had sent the gift and based on that, bowed her head and prayed to her heavenly Father - then humbly received the gift.
Who is it from?
A gift can be many things; - materialistic, money, a word of knowledge, prophesy, teaching, instruction, a hug, a meal .....
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 "Don't despise prophesy, but test everything: hold fast to what is good".
This is Paul's version of : Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Sometimes we get a 'mixed bag' - but let's sort through it, keep what we discern is from our 'Father of lights' and 'hold fast to' it, because that is good.
When I struggle with accepting a gift presented to me, based on who is delivering it - my hope and desire is, that I too will bow my head and pray to my heavenly Father for discernment - then humbly receive what He chooses to give me.
-b
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