by Emily Conrad
The package was addressed to me, but I did not open it. My name is the primary on the Amazon account I share with my husband, and I learned long ago not to get excited about parcels marked for me. Most often, they contain car parts.
But when my husband arrived home, he said he didn’t know what it was, either. I started to cut open the packing tape, and then, he concluded it must be the birthday present he’d ordered for my brother.
“Oh. I should’ve left this for him to open.”
But I’d already scored the tape, so lifted the flaps. Inside, I found a mug that was, in fact, meant for me.
A good gift in what is admittedly a tough season.
The hard hits have come one after the other this year. I don’t need to recount my personal losses or the national and global struggles that weigh on me.
But even here and now, I notice the mug isn’t the only good gift I’ve received. And it’s also not the only one I hesitated to accept.
Over a month ago, I received an email notifying me of a job opening. I felt an immediate spark of interest and excitement. My work history gave me the qualifications to apply, and I’m passionate about the industry the job is in.
But as I discussed it with loved ones, three of the four people I ran it by pointed out that there would be a lot of competition because of pandemic unemployment rates and the fact that the job is a remote, work from home position.
I almost didn’t pursue it. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, only to find the gift wasn’t for me.
But I stuck with it. After all, like that package, how would I know who it was for unless I tried?
Whether it was for me or not, I knew I could trust God. After all, He works all things for the good of His children, even the things we don’t get. And yet, I wanted that job.
And He gave it to me. Another good gift from the hand of my Father.
Even in the land of hard hits, the good gifts keep arriving.
Peony season is a gift. The mug and the job, gifts. Time with family and friends. Words for this post. Rain and sunshine. Walks with my dog. Much needed perspective. Truth, just when I need it. Gifts, all of them.
Gifts are piling up on your doorstep, too. Do you see them, lovingly addressed to you by your Father?
The blessings we’re granted do not solve all that is wrong in this fallen place, but they do act as signs of God’s love and movement in this world.
After all, the most important gift on our doorsteps is God’s very presence. He stands at the door and knocks.
May we recognize the gift is for us and let Him in.
His mercies are new every morning, and His grace—yet another gift lovingly inscribed and delivered—sustains.
The most important gift on our doorsteps is God’s very presence. He stands at the door and knocks. May we recognize the gift is for us and let Him in. #hope #encouragement @emilyrconrad
The blessings we’re granted do not solve all that is wrong in this fallen place, but they do act as signs of God’s love and movement in this world. #hope #encouragement @emilyrconrad
His mercies are new every morning, and His #grace—yet another gift lovingly inscribed and delivered—sustains. #hope @emilyrconrad
**6/20/20 Update – Between yours truly and the new Blogger interface, this post got deleted! I recreated it the best I could, but if you visited before and now notice a difference, that’s why! If I made a better point in the earlier version that you miss, please let me know in the comments. Ha! I’m sorry for any inconvenience!**
Funny how it can be easier to discard a gift than open it sometimes. Not only have I felt the same way about a potential blessing, but at times I've even second guessed God's intentions in sending a gift by thinking "He's probably only giving me this so I can learn a hard lesson by crashing and burning with it." As if the mug inside the Amazon box was pretty on the outside but filled with poison. Lord, help me trust You more!
Sadly, I know that fear, too, Katie. I'm glad you brought it up, because I need to be praying that prayer, too!
Such sweet, humble insights and reminders for a challenging time! It occurred to me that when it seems a lot of “big things” are difficult and out of control, God has used the “little things” to remind me of his love and care. And seeing Him work in the little things renews my trust in His sovereignty over the big things. Thanks for sharing, as always!
So true, Kendra! He always sends just what we need, and though sometimes things are difficult, we're never without signs of His love. Thanks for stopping by!