Receiving Roses

Last week a beautiful surprise arrived at the door; a huge bouquet of long stemmed roses, yellow with tinges of orange.  They were sent unexpectedly by a friend in Italy; an act of kindness filled with affection.  All through the week as I glanced at the roses I could feel a smile stretch across my face as my heart warmed with thoughts of this dear friend.

That same week, as I took my dog, Jack, outside for a quick walk before bedtime, I happened to look up.  The moon shone right above me, only a quarter in size, but so bright.  I stood for a few minutes just gazing into the night with the glowing moon and dots of stars shining in white brilliance.  At first glance I was just enjoying the beauty that my eyes could see.  However, the longer my gaze, something stirred in my being.  A smile formed and another warmth came to my heart as the reminder of God’s own gifts touched my senses.

Like my friend with  the roses, He also gives lovely gifts from a heart of great affection.  Sometimes a gift can be overlooked, like the earth’s beauty, so filled with wonder when we take moments to gaze upon and enjoy.  I know my friend enjoyed the giving of the roses as I enjoyed the receiving.  It’s no different with our Heavenly Father.  He enjoys the giving as we do the receiving.  Of course, the very best gift, the eternal gift, is salvation given through His Son, Jesus.  What a cost to Him to give it, but what joy in doing so.  What a life changing event for us to take what is given.

His love is all around us.  As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 8:3-9, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers — the moon and the stars You set in place — what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?  Yet You made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.  You gave them charge of everything You made, putting all things under their authority — the flocks and herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.  O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth.”

Gifts are given to be received.  What a sadness to the giver if the receiver refuses.  I hope you all enjoy your gifts — some given by friends and family — the eternal gift given by God Himself.  “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, would not perish but have life eternally.”  John 3:16