God Has Given You So Much....But Have You RECEIVED Any Of It?

Spring is the King Pin. The Big Daddy Doo Rah Rah of them ALL in my book. I cannot stand to be inside when the sun is brilliantly splashing across brightly-colored flowers and lighting a cornflower sky. Even when it's hot I park it on my deck in my "spot"....a little bistro set that is really starting to look a bit worse for the wear. Summer makes me happy too. The sheer number of sunny days stacks end-on-end to equal joy that overflows my heart.

I read somewhere in a Guideposts devotional that anyone who studies birds will be enthralled with them for life. Just now as I heard their twittering calls, each one, I am sure, specifically engineered to to say something that needs to be said, I looked up and saw a tiny red-and-gray finch feeding at the bird feeder Jonathan gave me for Mother's Day. Though I hung it up there a couple of days ago, this is the very first "customer" that I have actually seen myself.

I have been on a bit of a renaissance, "seize the day" kind of kick lately...and I am loving it. God gave us life, and he is the author of everything beautiful and good. Therefore (I reason), when I am enjoying life, both my work (writing, creating, nurturing my family) and play (watching the wild birds), I am taking the gifts He has given and making a home for them in my heart. It's the same principle we employ with gifts given to us by people we love. For example, the day after Mother's Day, I took the flowers Matt gave me, put them in a spare vase I had, added fresh water, and took the ribbons that were used as handles for the paper box they came in and fashioned a lavender bow for the vase. Then, at dinner that night, his flowers were the centerpiece. I wanted him to know that, not only did I get the flowers from him, but I also RECEIVED them. Similarly, I ran out to Tractor Supply on Monday, bought seed for the new feeder Jonathan gave me and hung it in a prime spot over my deck. I then opened the blinds to I could see if any little birds were feasting at any point. When Jon came home from school, I showed him what I had done. I had fully RECEIVED his gift.

I pray today that I will RECEIVE all of the gifts God has given me. May I straighten the house He provided with joy, finding little ways to make it homey. May I enjoy the mind He provided through the reading of a challenging book. Perhaps this week I'll exult in my calling (writing) by penning a poem that, in all possibility, only He will see. I will RECEIVE His gifts. Will you?