Skip to main content

Embrace The Gift


Some things never seem to change, even in spite of the fact that the new year is almost one month old. I wonder why I find myself stuck in circumstances or work that can easily frustrate me. When that happens, I am not a happy person to live with . . .

The other night I had the pleasure of eating out with my sister-in-law, and along with tasty food, the conversation was delectable as well. We got on the topic of gifts and circumstances, i.e. where we are with life. She told me a story about a certain gift she had received years ago that she initially had found no use for. It was a very nice pizza stone for baking given to her by her Mom. Thinking it odd and not knowing how to use it, she put it away for several years, until one day she took it out and decided to try it. She has since discovered how wonderful it is to bake with, not just for pizza, but cookies, and rolls. Now that she knows how to use it, she appreciates so much more the value of the gift she originally found so worthless. . .

So it is in life, we find ourselves in passages that often we are not sure how to navigate. The passages are not our ideal or the way perhaps we planned. Instead of seeing these times as a gift and embracing it, we complain and grumble. In some ways, we act like spoiled children receiving that unwanted present or the package that we just don't know what to do with. But if we would just take it out, try it, we may find that this time holds blessings and joy, and perhaps may be one of our best years ever . . .

I have passed this message on to several of my closest friends and family, "embrace the gift." I realize that I also must embrace the gifts that are in my life. Each time I wake up, I am given the gift of a brand new day, usually framed with an awesome sunrise and sunset. I have the gift of a forever faithful husband who loves me in spite of my cranky and unlikable moods. I have the gift of my son back home and the opportunity to be an encouraging, listening Mom to a young adult who's figuring out life for himself. I have the gift of loyal patients who see me year after year and allow me the privilege of caring for their health needs. I have the gift of endless choices in my life of 50 years and beyond, the gift of health, strength, yoga, and wonderful girlfriends.

Why, even Goldyn is a great big gift! He's a fine example of not knowing what to do with what we get. He was so different than any of my other canine buddies. Rescuing him from the local pound, I initially wondered if I could truly handle this Rottweiler mix. He was so nippy, so ferocious and strong willed. I had a definite challenge in grooming him for our home. But after several weeks of just being frustrated and mad at his antics, I decided I needed to learn his nature. Thanks to my favorite TV show, "The Dog Whisperer", and a magazine about Rotties, I discovered how to motivate him, how to be his pack leader, and how to enjoy the incredible, loving dog he's become. Who knew? Life is so much sweeter when we just embrace the gift!

Comments

  1. JazzedJuly 31, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    Thank you, Mary, for sharing and I'm glad my little life lesson was a blessing to you. The pizza stone safely made yet another move (back to Arizona) and I continue to use it, always thinking of my mother (the giver)and how long it took me (3 years) to learn what a truly great gift I'd been given!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easter Production

Driving down the freeway, the large billboard caught my eye.  "Join us for our Easter Production,"  it beckoned with splashy brown and orange colors.  It made me think, yes, that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been reduced to. . . a man made production.  Even this very day we celebrate, the headlines are all about the celebrities that attract the biggest Easter crowd.  E.G. "Tim Tebow draws thousands to Texas Easter service."  Once again, I had to think . . . who is Easter really about?  What happened to "Jesus draws a crowd?" I have grown tired of celebrity worship.  Yet, it seems in America that is what most Christians are interested in. We flock to mega churches, we drink in videos and studies all geared to keep us simple minded and complacent.  No longer is theology a priority to be taught.  No, it's better to read through the Bible in a year by reading only 5 minutes a day.  Never mind, contemplating or discuss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Close Encounters of the Spiritual Kind

   " Put yourself in the path that God will work." (Pastor Martin Smith, 1/2024)  On a crisp, clear Saturday morning, I started up the hill with Gypsy Rose eagerly leading the way.  I was more caught up in the fresh air feeling that was invigorating, than paying attention to the few cars that passed us by.  But there up ahead, a small red truck had slowed to the curb to flag me down.  "Could I help him find his son's house?" He was an older gentleman with his phone in hand.  He couldn't reach his son because the calls only went to voicemail, and he didn't have his address, only that it was somewhere here in Rancho.  I googled his son for him, but unfortunately, it only brought up an older address which was the current address now for this man.  There was no updated address for Rancho Cucamonga.  I told him the bad news, but he was so very gracious.  He did everything to show me that he was for real, pulling out  his driver lice...
Post a Comment
Read more

Awe

  The thunder resounded with a loud clap! Certainly, it came as an afternoon surprise.  The expected rain seemed less than what was forecasted, but with the thunder came a bucket of heavy raindrops splashing against my kitchen window.  I wanted to take it all in, the fresh aroma of falling rain and the beauty of water drops hitting the leaves of my nasturtium and petunia hanging baskets.  Unfortunately, the rain cloud quickly fled, running away into the eastern sky.  But then the sun made its way onto the scene, and I was drawn to a thick band of rainbow colors shining up at me.  The western sky was magnificently orange, completely bound up tight with that solo color scheme.  I went outside to catch it all before it would disappear.  Creation again was causing me to pause in awe and wonder. . . Awe is that reverential wonder, that even includes fear and respect.  It is only a 3 letter word, but it takes bigger and grander words to define it....
Post a Comment
Read more