Unwrapped Gifts — Broken & Hopeful
My friend Amy said something profound recently—well, she says lots of profound things, but this one particularly struck me. She was talking about seeing the small joys even when they weren’t exactly what you wanted, and she called it receiving the unwrapped gifts. This phrase made me think of how often I only want to be grateful for the gifts that are presented in the way I wanted them, enclosed in a pretty paper and topped off with a bow. The ones that present as less desirable, or not quite what I requested seem more difficult.
I thought of the days that were supposed to be incredibly special or beautiful like holidays or celebrations, and how they often seem hollow compared to the expectation I had set for them. Then other days surprise me with the lovely family time or special gifts that they bring when I didn’t expect them. Will I receive these gifts even though they don’t come wrapped up and in the time I wished for, or will I stand like an ungrateful child, despising them because they didn’t come the way I wanted?
God also reminded me of so many stories throughout the Bible when He does things in ways that no one expected or planned. I call them upside-down-and-backwards-gifts. Couples who wanted children in their youth when they were “supposed” to come, and instead received a very important child when it should have been impossible physically for them to reproduce. Victories in battle through the weakest and most fearful rather than the bravest and strongest. Battle plans that involved walking around a city for the walls to fall, rather than attacking with fierce fighting. A baby that was born to be king, but not in the way that many expected in taking Israel back from the Romans. Instead, He would defeat the very powers of darkness and evil that wrecked our world to begin with, and His battle was much bigger and longer-lasting than many had anticipated.
I realize that perhaps the unwrapped gifts, the unexpected victories, the weakness that shows more clearly the power of God, is all really the best thing. When I can receive these with a perspective that demonstrates the position God has already given to me, and with a viewpoint that rises above the fray, then I can be overwhelmed with gratitude for His gifts, no matter how they appear.
As I start 2022, I believe that God’s focus for me this year is to learn to receive the unwrapped gifts with expectation and hope. I want to encourage others to do the same, as we look together for the upside-down-and-backwards ways the Father loves on us. I want to receive the gifts as love, not misery. The Father knows how to give good gifts to His children—they may just not have a pretty bow on top.
If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11
