Unexpected Gifts
by Lindsey Hanekom
Oh the excitement of Christmas Eve! If my children are anything like I was as a child, they’ll be unbearably excited today, as they look forward to hanging their stockings tonight and opening their presents tomorrow morning.
It was with great anticipation (and a while ago!) that they wrote their Christmas lists. No doubt they’ll be looking forward to receiving what they’ve asked for. However, Johann and I have added a certain dose of wisdom to their wishes! Of course, they’ll receive some things that they asked for, but not everything, and there’ll be other presents that they haven’t asked for, but we know they’ll love.
As we focus on the birth of Jesus, the most precious Gift of all, let’s be open to the fact that God may not grant us all that’s on our ‘wish list’ for our lives. But may we allow our hearts to be open to God’s surprises, gifts we wouldn’t even think to ask for, but which we’ll love! Often, these are the most precious gifts in our lives and the ones we treasure.
For me, as a mum, my Christmas excitement and anticipation is to see the joy on my children’s faces as they receive what they’ve asked for, as well as the surprises that they’re not expecting. How much more joy there must be for our Heavenly Father, who wants to give us the gifts we desire, as well as those we haven’t even thought of!
Don’t let’s be afraid to ask our eternally generous God for good things, and may we also be open to receive MUCH more than we ask for, both at this special, holy time, and for the rest of our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You want to give us good and perfect gifts. Please surprise me with gifts that I wouldn’t even think to ask for, but which will enhance my life in You beyond my wildest dreams! Amen.
Lindsey Hanekom Lindsey has worked at all of our UK centres over the years and has settled at Ellel Scotland with her husband, Johann and their two young children, Kyle and Zoe. As part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Scotland, Lindsey has a heart for the deeply broken as she oversees the prayer ministry and is an established and passionate teacher with Ellel. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys the natural world, particularly the ocean, and is trained as a specialist medic to assist stranded and injured marine mammals.
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