Gifts are for Giving

I don’t spend a lot of time shopping. It is not my favorite pastime. Recently, I walked into a large department store and had about 3 items on my list. It was not very long before I felt very lost and very overwhelmed – maybe even a taste of what people from third world countries feel like when they come to this country. With the help of a few sales associates, I finally was able to get most of the things I was looking for and exit the store. I breathed a sigh of relief as I headed for my car and promised to not put myself through that again any time soon.

In our commerce driven society, we are constantly told that we have a need for whatever it is they are trying to sell. And we are promised that we will find happiness if we purchase their product. But even if we are happy at first, the happiness does not last very long. The bottom line is that “things” cannot make us happy. To add to that, we have the problem of “overchoice” which Wikipedia defines as: “The phenomenon of overchoice occurs when many equivalent choices are available. Making a decision becomes overwhelming due to the many potential outcomes and risks that may result from making the wrong choice.” (Wikipedia accessed 12/18/18.) This adds to our stress and frustration as we try to make the best choice to secure our happiness.

A very wise King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in which he speaks frequently of things being “meaningless”. In an effort to find satisfaction in life, he studies every aspect of life – relationships, health, wealth, etc. and finds that none of these things can bring happiness. He was a man who had “everything” a man could want. But happiness did not come from those things. He discovered that happiness was a choice that we make every day. “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have.” Ecclesiastes 6:9 NLT He found value in reputation, wisdom from God and caring for relationships to be important building blocks for happiness. But in the end, it is a choice that doesn’t depend on anything or anyone but ourselves.

I am pondering these things as we approach Christmas Day. Vendors are at their peak in advertising as we ponder what gifts to give our family and friends. I love to give gifts. I have the spiritual gift of giving. Through the years, I have learned that gifts from the heart are always more meaningful than anything we can purchase in a store or online. Time given to others – family, friends and even strangers – has more meaning than the most extravagant purchased gifts. I have watched many people set the gift aside unopened and go for the hug and the conversation. 

So what do I need to be happy this year? Only a good, growing relationship with the Lord. I will choose to be happy and I will enjoy what the Lord gives me today such as family, friends, enough to eat and drink today, a warm place to lay my head at night and yes, even the hard things in life that help me grow and go further in and deeper still with the Lord. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Thank you Lord, for every good and perfect gift You give me. I am grateful that You notice me and know me intimately and that You provide everything that I need each day. I choose to be happy today knowing that I am blessed by You. You are a good, good Father and I love you. Amen.