The Next Step: Gift on a Shelf

The gift is setting on my shelf...it has been for over four months. I know what it is, I'm pretty sure I do...I bought the items at a lovely artisan store and was thrilled the moment I saw them...knew they would encourage me. It was a bit of 'shopping therapy' after a doctor appointment, so I had the shopkeeper gift wrap them for ‘someone special’. I simply adored the wrapping the moment I saw it--still makes me a little giddy.

Then I got busy and consumed with appointments and responsibilities and I set the gift on a shelf 'for later' for a time when I really needed encouragement. Gradually, the bright green box became a permanent part of the decor (dust outline and all)--I would get reminiscent when I saw it, but I didn’t want to open it--didn't want to ruin the surprise. In the middle of December--when I was crying almost daily, when I’d endured weeks of interrupted sleep, when I needed a big dose of encouragement--the precious gift I’d been so excited about did cross my mind, but I just didn't want to bother with it. Maybe I was too comfortable in my funk and didn't want a good dose of encouragement throwing me off.

I know that gifts are meant to be accessed and appreciated and relished--especially gifts from God like salvation and hope and grace and love.

The reality is, sometimes I set these good and perfect gifts from God on my spiritual shelf; I let them become a part of the scenery while life consumes me and I get comfortable in my funk.