So many times this time of year, people put the emphasis on the gift ~ not just the actual gift but the presentation of the gift. You know ... the wrapping paper, the gift bag, the tissue, the ribbon and the bow. We forget that it is not about the outer shell of the gift but it is what is inside that is important.
We are much like this when we try to be something that we are not - often times we forget that God has placed gifts in each of us that we can use for His glory. But we get so wrapped up in the "packaging", we think we can't sing well enough, or play an instrument well enough or we stumble and stammer when we speak. God is not looking for the "perfect" package, only a willing and an obedient vessel.
PSALM 85:12 "The Lord will indeed give what is good."
What gift have you been given from God? Today on Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the gifts that God has placed within me to use for His Glory and I pray that I will be found to be a faithful and obedient "package" that He can use!
Amen Laurie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and filled with truth. Love you so much. Thank you for hosting and have a blessed and Merry Christmas.... Hugs.
Awesome thankful post sweetie.
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear this today. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post...I hope to be a "faithful and obedient package", too....
ReplyDeleteAmen, Laurie! Thank God for giving us different gifts to serve Him. Thanks for this precious reminder! Thanks too for hosting Thankful Thursday. Take care and may God bless you always!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Nancie
I'm thankful for you Laurie. I love the topic of gifts and always enjoy participating on Thursdays.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family,
Debbie
You are a beautiful blessing/gift to the world.
ReplyDeleteHave a joyous CHRISTmas and a blessed New Year!
Thank you. How can we resist God's good gift of His Son?
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie
ReplyDeleteI always do a thankful Thursday post and fond out about yours so thought I'd link with you today!
Rhondi
Thank you for the encouraging post and gentle reminder. Have a blessed TT!
ReplyDeleteI hope to learn to get out of the way so that God can use me:)
ReplyDeleteSo true Laurie, thank you! I hope you are enjoying this special season.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Bethany
Thank you for this post this morning! It's just the theme I needed and would have expressed.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
I so agree with you!! and God always reward us for being a gift to others :)
ReplyDeleteThis was good. And I was thinking as I read this, that this year we have spent A LOT less on gifts than we have in the last few years. And without really thinking about it until your post, I realized that I have been trying to make up for this by wrapping up the presents MUCH nicer than I usually do. I got a ribbon that is wired and tags (which I have NEVER done) and did them up really really pretty. But it doesn't change that what is inside is much less expensive and there is not nearly as much to open. And it really is the same way with us. We can fluff up the ouside and make it "look" nicer and better, but it doesn't really change what is in the inside. I was really blessed by this Laurie. Thanks for hosting this month. Have a wonderful day. Debbie
ReplyDeleteI am blessed by your post! How many times do we get caught up in the "things" of this world which are so temporary, gone in a breath. We need to be laying up treasures in Heaven, where nothing will corrode them. God Bless you today!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, that was beautiful. I am thankful for your words to reminding us to be thankful.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Miriam
Love your post today. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting Thankful Thursday. I am new here and enjoy most of the post. I do have a problem with going to a site and it's the persons profile page with several blogs to wade trough to get to Thankful Thursday. I hope that will change. God bless and Merry Christmas, Doylene
ReplyDeleteFor a very very long time I used to hate my "soft" side. I would cry if someone cried. I hated being kind and helpful. I long tried to be tough. When God offered me His hand and I made my peace with Christ and accepted Him in my life, I accepted myself. I sometimes try to be somebody else, but I really cannnot or rather won't.
ReplyDeleteI came to realise that if the world is tough, I don't have to be, too. It cost me some so called friendships and some socialising, but it earned me my peace.
Thank you for the insight!
It's been a week of showing my imperfect packaging, thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDelete