The Love-Gift

"Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love-gift." -Oswald Chambers

 A love-gift. There's something divinely sweet about this that puts a wide smile across my face. I smile because the first image that pops into my mind is my son Andrew. What a blessing! What a gift! He fills my heart with deep love and great joy. If anyone knows my story, my battle with infertility story, you will know that every day I'm reminded that Andrew truly is God's special gift to me. The gift of my son is a gift that is immeasurable and priceless. It's a selfless love-gift that I may never fully understand this side of Heaven. Just as in the gift of God's son Jesus is to all of us, a sacrifice too incredible for us to wrap our minds around. God gave his son so we could have eternal life. It's the gift of all gifts!

So as I begin to examine my life in 2014 and what this new year holds, I have to begin with this question: what am I doing with all the love-gifts God has freely given me? And not only the "big" gifts He gives, but what am I doing with the every day love-gifts I'm given; the small, often seen as insignificant gifts God gives, as well as the love-gifts we give to one another. Girls, I'm talking about simple things like the kind smile we give to a stranger, or a compliment we give to our spouse, or just taking the time to pray with a dear friend. The list is endless if we just take the time to notice all the blessings around us.

As Christians, we are to be known by our love (John 13:35). We are to be known by the fruit we bear (John 15:16). The love-gifts we give away. So I'm issuing a challenge to myself and anyone who wants to join me? In 2014 I want to be purposeful in giving a love-gift every day.  Not only is it important to give away a love-gift, but I want to be conscious of the love-gifts that are given to me, no matter how big or small.  I'm going to make a huge effort to blog about it daily. Which if you noticed my archives of blogging--this will be a challenge in itself.  All this sounds easy enough, right girls?  Let's try this thing together and see what love-gifts are waiting for us in 2014.