For every gift, there is usually both a donor and a recipient.

Normally, the donor willingly gives a possession and welcomes a positive and grateful response. If the recipient makes good use of the gift, it pleases the donor.

If the recipient gives a positive response, the real key is the action then taken.

In 1986, my employer transferred me from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA.

Since our children and grandchildren were still in Toronto, we frequently drove back for a visit.

On one such trip, we decided to return via the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia so that we could have a brief visit with one of my brothers and his children and grandchildren.

After lunch, as we were saying our good-byes, I gave each of his three young grandchildren a Canadian five-dollar bill. I explained that as we were about to cross back into the United States, it would be difficult for me to use the Canadian currency, and asked if they could help me out by taking it.

They were, of course, thrilled, and said the appropriate thanks.

As we were driving away, I saw 5-year-old Naomi running toward our car and shouting, "Uncle Vince, Uncle Vince!"

I stopped, and she said, "If you ever have a problem like this again, we'd be glad to help you."

In her young mind, she accepted my explanation that it would be a problem for me to take Canadian money into the USA, and having thought it through, she wanted to help.

Many years later, she and her husband are now missionaries working with the Kora people in a remote area of Indonesia.

When they were on homeland leave and visiting her parents in Sarnia, we went down to visit them. This time, I was able to give them five hundred dollars.

They expressed their appreciation, and her husband immediately said that now they would be able to purchase a particular item that they had been hoping to acquire to help them in the remote area where they were ministering so faithfully.

In both cases, it was good that I was able to make the gift. It certainly brought me pleasure to see the response.

More importantly, whether as a young child or as a mature adult, Naomi's reaction was gratitude and then positive action.

The greatest gift ever is God's gift of His Son, Jesus.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

The most important aspect of this gift is how we respond. The challenge for each of us is to accept that gift sincerely and with great thanksgiving.

Then, we must take action to follow His example and give ourselves to others in love.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus, as our Saviour. Help us to show our gratitude sincerely by loving others and helping them to find true life in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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