Your Christmas Gift: Life
Christmas 2019
“Every day is a gift,” my 80+ year-old church friend Allen said. I had probably commented to him on his aging and the infinities he and his blind wife experienced. He led her on his arm everywhere she wanted to go. I can’t remember how it happened, whether he became ill, but Allen is gone now. He “passed” or “passed away.” I prefer the term we in polite society seem incapable of stating: he died. His wife still attends church and our class for seniors. I spoke with her again yesterday, December 22. Every day of life is a gift we need to use well.
It wasn’t too long ago that my friend Allen made that comment, but it’s one I’ve not forgotten. Nor do I intend to. The older I get (approaching Allen’s age when I spoke with him), the more I recall those words of wisdom. Every day (of life) is a gift. Life has revoked Allen’s gift. But I still have mine.
Every Day A Gift: Using Mine
I enjoy good health, due, in large part to the Texas doctor I saw in the early 2000’s. I live in Oregon, but through a complicated set of circumstances, our son, daughter-in-law, and wife all saw him for a time. Last year I actively taught classes, preached in several congregations, led a pastor’s retreat, and attended a national convention across the country in Virginia Beach. I especially want to spread the word about the hope I found in the Book of Job, so wherever I go, I share my book (Tragedy Transformed: How Job’s Recovery Can Provide Hope For Yours, 2015). I produce a monthly update on my activities and encourage supporters on my mailing list to pray for me as I continue to serve Christ and people’s needs. Every day of life is a gift I need use well.
But my gift makes all of this activity possible. God has given me a gift to use for Him: day by day I use that for service in Jesus’ name, help for hurting people, hope for the depressed. As long as God gives me each day as a gift, I intend to continue these activities as well as to provide support to my wife, four children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Every day of life is a gift I need to use well.
Using Your Gift
Well, since every day of life is a gift all of us need to use well, what about you? Life has not so far revoked your gift, right? You still have that same gift: Today! How will you use your gift this Christmas 2019?
[Credit: Photo istockphoto.com]
