Did you ever ask for something specific, something you thought was fairly reasonable? Then somehow the message got mixed up between you and the giver?
Tom figured out the secret of giving me gifts a few years ago. (Alright, let's just put it out there: Reason #471 that Alice is SPOILED ROTTEN by Tom.) The gifts that bring sparkles to my eyes tend to come in little velvet boxes.
Since then, Tom's given me several really lovely pieces of jewelry. He's even gotten pretty good at picking out pieces I like without any suggestions.
But our world has been a bit chaotic lately (see Wednesday's "post"). For Mother's Day and my birthday last month, Tom was playing it safe by asking for ideas. I told him what I'd like, and even put a picture from a sale flyer on the frige. My mistake was when I showed him the flyer on the frige, I failed to circle the exact item. What was I thinking?
Tom figured out the secret of giving me gifts a few years ago. (Alright, let's just put it out there: Reason #471 that Alice is SPOILED ROTTEN by Tom.) The gifts that bring sparkles to my eyes tend to come in little velvet boxes.
Since then, Tom's given me several really lovely pieces of jewelry. He's even gotten pretty good at picking out pieces I like without any suggestions.
But our world has been a bit chaotic lately (see Wednesday's "post"). For Mother's Day and my birthday last month, Tom was playing it safe by asking for ideas. I told him what I'd like, and even put a picture from a sale flyer on the frige. My mistake was when I showed him the flyer on the frige, I failed to circle the exact item. What was I thinking?
Tom was sick as a dog on my actual birthday. He was so sick I texted Mary and cancelled their visit that evening. But at dinner time, here came Tom, sick but looking so proud with a small gift bag in hand.
Oh boy, here it is! I know what's in a box that size and shape. Tom came through again! Isn't it beautiful? Very regal, don't you think?
Oh what a wretch I am!
I guess Tom forgot he'd given me a garnet ring three years ago. And, . . . did he look at the picture on the frige? (Aren't you glad you don't live in the house with me?)
Tom was his usually sweet self and said he wouldn't mind if I traded the garnet ring for the one I wanted. (Go ahead, you can say it, "Ahhh. . . ")
Rewind for a moment. I've been doing a personal study of 1 Peter. Chapter 3 had started hitting home. “He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it." (1 Peter 3: 10-11 RSV)
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've had a lousy attitude lately. Along with the attitude, I've had ugly thoughts and words. What's my problem! Peter's encouragement was just what I needed. I prayed, I repented, I asked the Lord to purify my thoughts and words.
Oh boy, here it is! I know what's in a box that size and shape. Tom came through again! Isn't it beautiful? Very regal, don't you think?
Oh what a wretch I am!
I guess Tom forgot he'd given me a garnet ring three years ago. And, . . . did he look at the picture on the frige? (Aren't you glad you don't live in the house with me?)
Tom was his usually sweet self and said he wouldn't mind if I traded the garnet ring for the one I wanted. (Go ahead, you can say it, "Ahhh. . . ")
Rewind for a moment. I've been doing a personal study of 1 Peter. Chapter 3 had started hitting home. “He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it." (1 Peter 3: 10-11 RSV)
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've had a lousy attitude lately. Along with the attitude, I've had ugly thoughts and words. What's my problem! Peter's encouragement was just what I needed. I prayed, I repented, I asked the Lord to purify my thoughts and words.
To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if God was was enjoying a "two-fer" teachable moment (about my attitude and the gift) with me, or if Satan was tormenting me. When I took the beautiful ring to exchange, the clerk was less than efficient and knowledgeable.
I lost patience. I drummed my fingers on the counter. I sighed.
The poor clerk got more and more nervous, making more and more mistakes.. She finally called for backup.
It took one clerk and two store managers to take care of the transaction. Talk about a witch on a broom! As conviction set in, I tried to make my apologies and extend thanks. The words sounded feeble and flat at best.
Drenched in humiliation, I crawled back to the Lord with another prayer: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 RSV) What peace and joy there is in knowing that God is "faithful and just" (1 John 1:9), and loves giving His children do-overs.
Dear Reader, I pray your contrary moments are few and far between. I pray you'll remember, even if it's uncomfortable at the time, that God loves doubling His pleasure and ours by accepting our repentance, and giving us His grace.
I lost patience. I drummed my fingers on the counter. I sighed.
The poor clerk got more and more nervous, making more and more mistakes.. She finally called for backup.
It took one clerk and two store managers to take care of the transaction. Talk about a witch on a broom! As conviction set in, I tried to make my apologies and extend thanks. The words sounded feeble and flat at best.
Drenched in humiliation, I crawled back to the Lord with another prayer: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 RSV) What peace and joy there is in knowing that God is "faithful and just" (1 John 1:9), and loves giving His children do-overs.
Dear Reader, I pray your contrary moments are few and far between. I pray you'll remember, even if it's uncomfortable at the time, that God loves doubling His pleasure and ours by accepting our repentance, and giving us His grace.
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