Gifts and Grace

Yesterday my daughter Hannah had to get a birthday gift for a friend who was celebrating her 10th birthday with a bowling party. I gave Hannah $15 and told her that was the limit. I had to set a limit because both my girls really seem to enjoy giving gifts to their friends. They will buy one thing, and then see something else and want to add that to the gift as well. While I appreciate their generous hearts, I have to draw the line because (call me cheap) I just don't think children need to be spending $30 on other children's birthday presents. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the price doesn't mean much when it's my money they're spending! :) However, Kaelie is a little older and usually purchases gifts with her own money now.

Thinking about my kids' desires to lavish gifts upon their friends also led me to reflect upon God's desires to lavish gifts upon us. What's so awesome about God is that his gift-giving knows no limits! His greatest gift to us was the costliest of all, the gift of his son Jesus Christ. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (Ephesians 1:7-8)

So often, the gifts we give are in response to an invitation. If we are invited to a birthday party or a wedding, it is customary to bring a birthday or wedding gift. If we are invited to some other party, it is good manners to bring a hostess gift. What's so awesome about God is that he does both the inviting AND the giving. Through the gift of his son Jesus, God invites us to be in fellowship with him now and for eternity. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Imagine the depths of God's love for us to offer up such an amazing gift with no obligation on our part other than to accept it! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph. 2:8)

Grace. A tiny little one-syllable word with huge, life-changing implications. It is a free gift extended to each of us. We readily accept birthday gifts, wedding gifts, hostess gifts, etc. Why is it so hard to accept God's free gift of grace?

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)