Panties from Heaven
James 1: 17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Do you know an ultimate gift-giver? I’m talking about that rare person who always gives the perfect gift you never knew you needed or wanted but now you can’t live without? I’m in awe of this talent. I personally agonize over gift-giving. I shop, browse on-line, fish for hints, and ask others for ideas. Then, after all this effort, I head straight to the bank, withdraw cash, and put it in an envelope. I do write a little note with it. Umm, actually, I sometimes write a note. But, I do always write their name on the envelope, hopefully counting for something. I just totally do not have the gift-giving gene.
But then, there’s God - the ultimate gift-giver! James tells us that EVERYTHING good and EVERYTHING perfect is a gift from God! EVERYTHING! So, if it is good, we should thank God. If it is perfect, we should thank God. This means big gifts, like life, salvation, and the sacrificial offer of his son, all are from God. But, it says EVERYTHING. So, that also means those small, insignificant, almost unrecognizable gifts are from God.
I pondered this verse. I am very aware of the big gifts and sacrifices that God has bestowed on me and I thank Him daily. But, the tiny ones? How often do I overlook those? So, I began daily asking God to open my eyes to the seemingly insignificant gifts He bestows on me so that I could thank Him. And, you know what? I was thanking God ALL DAY LONG! His “small” gifts are infinite! I found them at every turn of my day.
So, I decided to make thanking Him for small gifts my habit. Soon afterwards, I received my most memorable, hallelujah, small gift to date! It was ladies retreat weekend. I had quickly packed my bags and set out to pick up friends. As we made our way toward the rustic retreat venue, a sudden wave of panic rushed over me as I realized I had failed to pack any underwear! Even though we were only staying one night, I could imagine my mother saying, “Be sure you have clean underwear in case you are in an accident.” YIKES! WHAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT!
I began to evaluate my options. I couldn’t turn around and go home or we would be late. I couldn’t stop and buy a pair because we were in the remote countryside, therefore, no shopping options. Asking to borrow underwear was totally out of the question! (Hmm, or was it? Yes, I decided it was!) After contemplation, I determined I had two options: wear the ones I had all weekend, or go “commando” (without) the second day. In my head I played out these two choices but neither seemed suitable to me or my friends in whom I had confided but were struggling to help due to their belly laughter!
Upon arrival, I pulled out my sheets to make my bed for the night. Still distressed over my underwear dilemma, I realized there was something caught in the fitted part of my sheet. Now, I hadn’t noticed it before, because, you know life is too short to fold fitted sheets, so my sheet was one big ball of bed cover. I reached into the fitted corner, and you guessed it – a clean pair of my underwear, perhaps hiding there from the dryer! Never before in my life have I been so proud to show off my underwear, but that day, everyone knew my “Halleluiah Underwear” story. And, I was determined that God get the glory for the good gift!
How many gifts are we overlooking? Lord, open our eyes to the infinite and unimaginable ways you bless us. May we never take for granted the seemingly small, yet amazing gifts you place in our trust. May we always honor and glorify you with each and every gift, even if it is a simple, glorious pair of underwear!
Blessings for a Thankful Thanksgiving,
Rita
