Wrapping the Gift of Today

I used to be a vigilant planner, now I find myself lingering in the decision of the next step. It was as if I did an about face with never even looking in the mirror. I see now though, that the journey of life changes but doesn’t lose its beauty. It is just different along the way. The things that used to be important are no longer. The things I never put much thought into, now consume my daily reflection. I am not sure why it took me so long to realize the gift of the moment, I just know it is much better on this side of the mirror.

The vigilant planner was real. I used to find myself looking ahead and mapping out every single step of my life. I thought that if I could plan my life out perfectly, I would be able to reach my goals and be happy. Nowhere in there had I taken the time to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit. As crazy as this sounds, I was reminded of that time in my life as I pulled down the Christmas wrapping paper today. How often had I rushed through the process of wrapping my days by being too preoccupied with tomorrow.

It is Advent and a time for us to unlock the gifts of today, be thankful for the gifts of yesterday and pray for the gift of tomorrow. I’ve decided that as I begin wrapping our Christmas gifts under our tree, I also want to "wrap" the gift of Jesus in the moments of my day. In the hustle of the Christmas season, I want to choose to be more present, aware, and loving and respond to adversity with compassion and forgiveness. I want to create the gift of space and time for those I love. I want to treasure the gift of them and expect miracles in the gift of tomorrow.

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” St Augustine

We may not ever know of how the gift of Jesus will show up in our day, but we must have faith that He will show up beautifully and perfectly planned. Only God can open the door to tomorrow and when are on the other side of it, it makes perfect sense. Maybe we are not the only ones wrapping the gifts, maybe WE are the gift that Jesus is wrapping. His loving embrace is what holds us perfectly together, not the pretty wrapping paper and big bows. Just maybe then, we can see the treasured gift we are in His eyes.

My prayer for you today is that you are known for the gift you are in the moment of each day. That you are embraced by others with love, kindness, and compassion and when you feel the need to be tucked away in silence or sitting still in the moment of Advent, I pray you find yourself wrapped with Jesus’ loving embrace and that you too see the treasured gift you are.

Together in prayer. Hand in hand.