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!**