"It is a simple gift.
No strings attached,
so don't make it complicated."
That's a line from the end of "Christmas with the Kranks."
It's a pretty funny Christmas movie.
When I heard the line It reminded me of how I complicate simple gifts a lot.
Why can't I always accept God's gift of love like I did my Christmas gifts?
On Christmas morning I smiled, excitedly ripped open the paper and wholeheartedly exclaimed "Thank you!" to whoever gave me the present.
But when it comes to love, salvation, acceptance or freedom I tend to attach some strings.
I have to perform, of course, to receive love…..right?
Because who wants to love someone with problems?
And if I admit to having problems, I have to make them look 'not so bad.'
Oh, and once I add other's opinions into the equation I have to make sure to say the right things, not be awkward, not to talk too much…or talk to little. It becomes quite a performance to obtain acceptance.
I'm never afraid to ask my parents for the things I really want or need each year,
so why am I so afraid to ask God for the things I need? I complicate things a lot.
I keep hearing God say that same line. "I love you, it's a gift. Don't complicate it."
"But…but…it can't be that simple!
What about discipline, and peoples opinions, and how I was raised differently…and…bla bla bla…"
….that's always my response.
Some of my other common and equally silly responses are as follows:
"But I'm not ready for the World Race…I'm not spiritual enough. Everyone else seems more spiritual than me…more able to be used by you, God…I'm just sitting around procrastinating. I don't even have a packing list!" (haha…I really don't.)
Another response is:
"I don't have enough faith. I don't feel ready to believe you can do things like radical healings, speaking in tongues, visions….I just don't believe it yet. I want to, but something must be wrong with me right now because I don't."
The list goes on. I complicate everything.
But God is really good, really really good… because in the middle of me complicating everything,
I know he is just listening to me ramble. And He is smiling.
It's good to have a friend like that, someone who listens and accepts me and promises to guide my life if I can let go of needing answers.
He keeps promising that He will show me the things I need to know,
and lead me in the places I need to go.
He will provide adequate faith and open my eyes to see in new ways when it's time.
God, help me ask you for things with faithful, childlike joy.
There. I just made my first request. And I ask it in confidence!
I personally don't feel ready for the race. It's scares me to know people will find out I have problems.
But I will press in to these challenging thoughts and keep spending time with Jesus,
because I know He will take my worries and fears away once He's used them to bring Himself glory.
Thank you Jesus, I humbly accept Your amazing gift. I love you.
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Weeelp, I leave South Carolina in 11 days,
with a 52 L backpack containing some random things and lots of prayers.
Then we'll leave the country about 6 days later from Washington, DC for Mozambique.
( Minor country switch up…no big deal! 🙂
I have about $11,000 in my account and need $4,400 to be fully funded, so if you can donate any small amount as a tax deductible end of the year donation, click the link to the left:)
Much much appreciated.
Seriously. It's only through you guys that this whole thing is possible.
I am very blessed and thankful.
Hope you all had a Merry Merry Christmas. And join me in remembering…if our family and friends can give us such amazing, earthly gifts, how much more can God give us?!!? Yessss.
( My family really did give me some amazing gifts…… )
🙂
