I hope I’m not the only person on the planet who agonizes (translation: gripes and whines) about thinking of the perfect (and affordable) gift to give to someone who already has everything.
I’m sure most of you have the strength of character to say (and mean it), “It’s the thought that counts.”
You’re right, of course. It IS the thought behind the gift that counts. It’s the love, good intentions, and sometimes even sacrifice involved in the giving of a gift that make the gift itself a treasure to its recipient.
Probably, it’s my pride that causes me such agony (and leads to griping and whining).
Yes, that’s it. It’s my pride.
When my daughter brings me a handful of wildflowers (or weeds), I don’t look at her and say, “That’s so stupid. I can get those anytime I want. Can’t you bring me something better?”
That would be a horrible thing to say to an eight-year-old! Instead, I thank her for thinking of me. She could’ve been doing countless other things and could’ve been more focused on having great adventures in the great outdoors, but she noticed some pretty purple flowers and thought of me. She wanted to share a thing of beauty and a thing of value with me. So, I take the flowers, kiss her, and cherish the fact that she hasn’t grown too old to think about picking flowers for her momma.
I should learn a lesson from my daughter: when I give a gift to someone who already has everything, I’m going to tell myself (and believe), “It really IS the thought that counts,” and I’m not going to let my pride rob me of the joy sharing a thing of beauty or value with someone I care about. Hopefully, they’ll value my love and regard for them more than they value the gift itself.
Mark 14:3-9 tells about a woman who didn’t let her pride prevent her from giving a gift to Jesus. When I read this today, I was blown away by His response to her.
While Jesus was reclining at the dinner table in Simon’s home, a woman (Mary the sister of Lazarus) entered—uninvited, I’m assuming—broke open a valuable flask of ointment and poured it on Jesus’ head. According to the passage, this costly ointment was worth 300 denarii (300 days’ wages). Some of the disciples were indignant and scolded her for wasting the ointment; they argued that she could have and SHOULD have sold it and given the money to the poor.
Jesus’ response is so precious. He scolded them and said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me….She has done what she could.”
Isn’t He wonderful?
According to human standards, Mary gave an expensive gift; it was worth nearly a year’s salary.
But what is that to the One through Whom all things were made?
Mary didn’t let her pride keep her from bringing a gift to Jesus. If she had thought about it for too long, she may have talked herself out of it. After all, what could she give Him that He couldn’t get for Himself anyway? One Word from Him can create an entire universe, give sight to blind eyes, and raise the dead to life. Her costly gift couldn’t compare to that.
Her gratitude and love for Christ compelled her to present Him with her best. Never mind that her best could in no way match all that He was capable of giving to her; it was Mary’s thoughts toward Him that mattered to Jesus.
Isn’t that amazing? We can’t form a solar system for Him. We can’t “lasso the moon” and lay it at His feet. On our own, we can’t even measure up to His standards of holiness. But when we offer Him what we have—our love, our attention, our devotion, our best—He thinks it’s beautiful. He treasures it. Our thoughts toward Him—HIM—the perfect, matchless SON of GOD— our thoughts toward HIM count….
Is that not AMAZING?
“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:4)
Of everything He created, He values US. He thinks we’re wonderful—worth dying for. Our small offerings are, to Him, BEAUTIFUL.
That is amazing.
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