Feb 4

Helen Tyte

Gifts

At school one day the teacher asked his class to write all about their Christmas holidays. He asked them to write in as much detail as they could to make sure their assignments were more interesting. This started an excited conversation on Jessica’s table all about the presents that each child had received, but Jessica remained silent.

Mark told everyone about his new computer, remote control car, Lego kits and much more.

Isabelle said that she had received lots of gifts, too many to even remember!

The teacher was listening to the conversation and asked Isabelle to describe her favourite gift carefully, but she explained that none of the gifts was what she had really been hoping for, and that she couldn’t recall what they looked like properly. The teacher went on to ask “Well, which presents have you used the most?” and Isabelle told him that she had yet to use any of them, because she was still waiting for something better.

The teacher turned to Jessica who had yet to join in the conversation. “And what about you, Jess? What did you get for Christmas?” Jessica’s cheeks flushed a little, but she bravely told the table that her only present had been a new backpack for school. Money had been tight for her family this year after her dad had been made redundant.

Jessica was able to describe her new blue bag in great detail, and explained how perfect it was for school and that she used it every day. It had separate sections for her books and her lunchbox, there was a pocket on the side for her water bottle, and a hidden clip inside for her house keys. The straps were padded and didn’t dig into her shoulders like her old backpack. “But the best thing about it,” Jessica continued, “is that the fabric it is made from is waterproof. Now when I walk home in the rain, my things stay dry!”

Maybe we are like Isabelle. God has given us lots of gifts and talents, but we don’t use them, or we overlook them – always in search of something bigger and better. We don’t always appreciate what we have, or realise the good we could be doing for others by sharing our gifts.

Or maybe you are Jessica. You recognise that you have this particular gift, given especially for you, and you use it all the time and make the most of it. You could be great at art, fishing, looking after people, or even just at making people smile.

And if you are sitting there today wondering what your gifts are, take some time to ask God. Look carefully at how you can make a difference to those around you.