Seeking and Finding

A few days ago we had a beautiful, sunny autumn day, a pause from much rain. Our dog, Jack, and I were strolling along wooded paths and expanses of green fields. Yellow and bronze leaves covered the ground in places. Sitting on a park bench was a young mother with her toddler nearby. He was looking for pretty leaves. When he found one he would take it to his mother who lay them gently on the bench. I took note that while his back was turned, the mother would reach behind the bench, find a leaf, and place it on the ground in front of her. Her little one would turn and find the leaf. A big smile came across his face as he picked up the treasure. When he presented it to his mother she praised him for his discovery and thanked him for his gift.

I smiled, too, and thanked our Heavenly Father for all His gifts to us. Everything we have is because of His provision. When we take what we have and offer it back to Him, for His glory and use, it makes Him smile, too. What a lovely relationship to seek and find and give back. Most of us are familiar with the verse in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

As I watched the leaf scene with the mother and child, the joy of both giving and receiving was clear. We must know how to receive graciously, for the giver is blessed with great joy when we do. We must also know how to give and to do so with gladness of heart, for when we do, the joy we get back is far greater than mere words can express.

In saying the above I am reminded of the greatest gift of all. Jesus gave His life to pay the penalty for our sin. When we receive that gift, oh what joy! When we pass on the Good News of that gift to another and they receive it, too, the joy comes back to us in double measure.

May we each be gracious in the joy of receiving, and be blessed to overflowing in the ecstasy of giving.