Disappointing Gifts

Today was the 35th birthday of one of my Sister-friends. Her husband had to go out of town and we are all about elbow deep in Vacation Bible School. Still, I wanted to do something to remind her that she is special and to show her I am glad God made her.

I sent her some funny email cards and brought a big batch of birthday cupcakes to share in her honor at VBS. My plan was to bring her a large glass of her favorite Starbucks beverage, light a candle on a cupcake and sing "Happy Birthday" to her during the dinner hour before VBS begins. Everything went exactly as planned until I ran to Starbucks to get her treat. In my most worldly, savvy, I-do-this-all-the-time voice, I ordered her Passion Iced Tea, size large. I waited patiently for the sweet teenager behind the counter to complete my order. When she called my name, I danced proudly up to the counter and reached out to eagerly receive my order. Did you know "Grande" isn't a large at that store? It is a medium. I was bummed. My lavish gift idea was now only medium-sized. Flustered, I just took my order and went to my car.

On the way back to the church I considered not even giving this drink to her. I was embarrassed. What if she interpreted it to mean I only thought of her as a medium-sized friend, or only medium-sized worthy?? She didn't even know I ordered this. I could just give her the cupcake and she'd never know the difference. But I wanted to give her this treat. Meager as it was, it was still her favorite beverage. I decided to buck up and offer her my gift with all the love and effort I could muster. Guess what? She appreciated it and I even think I blessed her. As inadequate I thought my gift was, it still had the power to make a difference in her day.

Later I started thinking about other types of gifts; the gifts our heavenly father asks us to use to bless his children in our church and community. How often do we look at our spiritual gifts or abilities and think they just aren't good enough to give? We assess our gifts and abilities and determine them to be, in our estimation, medium-sized gifts; inadequate to bless in large-sized situations. But, just like that small drink became a big blessing to my friend, ways we serve God that may seem minuscule to us are a big blessing to others. All He asks of us is to give Him our best. He has a purpose for each one of us, but we have to be willing to get out there and do the thing He called us to do. Be brave! Share your medium-sized gifts with all your heart and see what big things God can do with them!

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” - Luke 21:1-4

One More Time: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICKY! I REALLY AM GLAD GOD MADE YOU!!