Gift Giver... Gift Receiver?

Dear Friend,

There are three girls in my family. Almost every year for Christmas, my mom gets us three presents that are all very similar, like three teddy bears or three dresses, but all are a little different. Perhaps a different color or style. And every year, she worries and frets and looses so much sleep hoping that we will each love the gift we were specifically given. She prays that she's picked the right one for each child and none of us will feel left out or like the next person's was cooler. Is that not the most heart breaking moment, for all present, to see a child receive a present their parents carefully selected for them and then look more longing at their siblings gift? To watch the parents face diminish as they realize their child does not fully appreciate, no matter how hard they try, the gift that was given to them and no one else is truly heart wrenching. It is easy to put ourselves in the position of the child. Really loving the gift we received and trying, for the sake of our loving parent, to appreciate it, but then looking wishfully at our sibling holding their precious new item. A parent who deeply loves their child will be so disappointed in their efforts to bring that child joy. Imagine the parents widening sadness as they see that gift lay about the house over the next year, neglected and pitifully unloved, until finally, it is thrown out.

We all have a parent who loves us. Our Father in Heaven has given us all precious and unique gifts meant just for us. Meant for us to use and to improve. Can you imagine the crushing reality of his pain and disappointment when we don't develop out talents and throw the blessings he's given us out? He really tries so hard for us. As a loving child, we should take his gifts, dance with them, love them, run with them, use them up, play with them, try new things, and never stop being grateful for the sweet chance he's given us to find happiness through our own abilities.

Dear Friend,

Have a great night :)