Gifts In Unexpected Places

We do not have a cat…but our neighbor does.
I have been amazed at the way her cat shows affection.
The cat puts a dead mouse on her doorstep.

Now, that is not exactly the kind of present I would like to receive.
However, I’m beginning to understand.
Cats hunt.
What better way to show their appreciation than to bring you something they have caught?

It’s the thought that counts!

I was actually secretly wishing we had her cat around this week.
There was a mouse in the house.
Cold weather brings them inside…especially since we live near the woods.

Usually, we hear a couple of mice in the attic…right after it begins to get cold.
Then, they seem to find other places to go.
I had it all figured out…the neighbor’s cat and our mouse.
Our attic mouse problem…solved…another gift for her doorstep…done!

I was in line at the store today.
There was a mom in front of me…her eighteen-month-old sitting in the shopping cart.
The little girl was facing me.

I smiled at the little girl.
She smiled back.
I talked to her a bit.

All of a sudden, in one fell swoop, she pulled off her polka dotted sock and handed it to me.
It is cold here today…with a chance of snow.
Just seeing her barefoot, made me cold!

I talked to her about her pretty sock…and told her that I could see her toes!
Her mom noticed that her daughter was trying desperately to give me her sock!
We laughed at how cute she was…holding out her gift before me.
I kept thinking about the sincerity of her gift offering.

The mom finished and pulled her cart out of the register line.
We said goodbye.
The little girl said, Bye-Bye! Bye-Bye! over and over, waving her sock in my direction.

Gifts.

But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
(2 Corinthians 8:7)

There was such trust in the little girl’s action.
No wonder Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)
Children trust…they love unconditionally…they approach everything with wonder.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread  for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. Philip answered Him, “Eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:5-9)

How far indeed?

Can you see the little boy, holding his meager lunch out in front of him?
A gift that others, who were much more grown-up and reasonable, would have laughed at.
Not Andrew.
He knew that the boy’s small gift could feed a multitude…in Jesus’ hands.

God knows all about gifts.

This is My Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)
God the Father may not have held Jesus out before Him…or left Him on a doorstep.
God the Father lifted up His Son, Jesus, on a cross.

Those who look to that cross, and trust in Jesus…as the object of their faith…are healed.
Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead…a first-fruits offering.
The rest of the harvest…all the believers in Jesus…will be brought in later.

Healed…Saved…Eternally secure.
God’s gift…held up before us.
Such sincerity in the offering.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

 

5 responses to “Gifts In Unexpected Places”

1. Jackie and Juliette showed me your blog today! It is absolutely beautiful. Your words unfold like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer! Thank you for sharing your gift! It’s more than a mouse left on a doorstep!
   Would you mind if I shared your writing with some wonderful young Mom’s at our weekly Bible study? I will be sure to cite your writing and also give your blog address. Or whatever you prefer.

   ~Blessings!

   Reply

   • Jen,
     Your words blessed my heart! Thank you.
     Of course you may share this blog with the young Moms in your Bible study and anyone else, as you are led.
     Giving them the link is a wonderful idea, even reading a post or two! I always pray that God will use my simple word pictures so that others will know Him and His Word better.
     Gina

     Reply

2. You really should get a cat. 🙂

   Reply

3. Thanks indeed!

   Reply

   • You are welcome, Janna.
     All the praise goes to HIM!
     Gina

     Reply