The beauty of truly appreciating a gift

We have had several birthdays already this summer and I used the last bits of wrap on Graham, Emmett and Papi’s gifts, so I had to buy some new this week for Father’s Day and Miss Caroline’s #6.

As I looked at all the choices in the store, I reminisced about a party she was invited to in four year old preschool.

I never saw the gift she chose with my eyes, but she described it to me in great detail and then pointed to the wrapped package that was awaiting the day of festivities and told me how she had selected paper with little candles on it just like what would be on the cake.

For this particular party, mommy was working and so I was assigned the chaperone task. Caroline held the gift in the car as if it were the crown for the coronation of royalty.

The party was held in one of those gym/jumping type places where children run hither and yon and parents and grandparents try to keep eyes on as the sensory overload begins to render us longing for a quiet corner with a large cup of a highly caffeinated hot beverage.

Or maybe it was just me.

Finally, we were summoned to the party room in a loft above the crazy atmosphere.

Long tables were filled with fun party favors and a huge assortment of family and friends for the birthday girl.

All the gifts were lined up along the far wall. There was pizza and cake and drinks followed by thank you’s to one and all and we went to gather our belongings.

With so many guests and so much commotion and so little room, many a birthday party these days just pack up the gifts and take them home for the recipient to open.

I get it.

Ain’t nobody got time to watch someone open a ton of gifts and try to dispose of wrapping paper.

However, I could sense in Caroline a sorrow that she didn’t get to see HER gift opened by her friend, and my heart ached a little for this new life lesson for our Sweet Caroline. She had put a lot of thought and heart into the gift and it felt unfinished to just walk away without seeing her friend unwrap it.

We didn’t talk about it so maybe I am wrong, but knowing her, I am sure I am not.

This morning as I opened our blinds to let in the morning light, as I do every morning, I thanked God for the sun.

I don’t always do this. In fact, I am not sure if I ever have.

Oh, I am grateful for the sun, but I am more focused on the ivy plant on Russ’s nightstand and its need for this morning light. I’m distracted by the dust on the furniture and the bits of clutter he and I tend to leave behind everywhere we go.

From there my mind usually trails to other areas of the house that need some TLC and then it is off to do exercises, make coffee and finally sit out on the patio where I open my books and Bible and I look around and I thank God for the beauty and peace and quiet He has given to us as a gift.

But today, as I thanked Him for the sun right off the bat, I also thanked Him for our nice soft bed to sleep in and for Russ and for the day ahead and the gratitude just kept flowing out.

It occurred to me how often I set aside the gift until later.

I wonder if like Caroline, He just quietly wishes I had noticed right away the loving kindness of His heart that gives me new mercies every morning.

I grieved a bit for my slowness to be thankful for all the little things He has done for us. I was saddened by my lack of expressing in simple ways sincere gratitude for His many gifts.

Hand picked for me, He has sent blessings my way every day.

Great is His faithfulness <3

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