Daily Wisdom 08-29-2003 The Perfect Gift

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The Perfect Gift

I have some sweet friends who never mention their birthdays. They graciously and humbly let birthdays come and go, never wanting anyone to make a fuss. But, hey, they get really pidly presents. I love and admire those friends. They are wonderfully noble and unselfish. I have very little in common with them, however. So, please mark my birthday on your calendar. March 20th--Rhonda Rhea's birthday--big letters. You might want to also make a significant sized note next to it to remind yourself to buy a nice gift. I've been known to send out gift lists and make selections at the major department stores. At your request, I can also give you the precise number of shopping days left.

Don't worry if you happen to miss the exact date (Did I mention it's the twentieth?). In recent years, I've found it difficult to fit all the partying into one day, so I no longer have a mere birthday. I've designated March as my "birthmonth." The celebration begins on the first and I don't let go of it until the 31st, although I've been known to still have some residual partying going on through April. I'm wondering if I should make it a "birthquarter."

I told one of my friends the other day that one of my spiritual gifts is the gift of "receiving." I don't think you'll find it listed in scripture, but there are hints. After all, if it weren't for people like me, what would those with the spiritual gift of giving do? See? I have a purpose.

While we're on the topic of gifts, would you believe that the greatest, most expensive gift ever purchased is often not accepted? If you're one like me who has the gift of receiving, it's almost unimaginable, isn't it!

Jesus Christ set aside His rights as God and put on human skin to live a sinless life and to die to pay for our sin. He bought our salvation with His life. That's an expensive gift--the life of the holy Son of God! And the gift is offered to all. Yet still there are those who are so wrapped up in the temporary things of this world and consumed with controlling their own worldly lives, that they refuse to accept the gift. Sad, isn't it?

There's something I'd like for you to remember--even more than I want you to remember my birthday. And that is that there are those who need to be reminded of the gift and of their need to accept it. Some have never even heard. We have the awesome privilege of sharing the good news of His gift.

"Every good and perfect gift comes down from above from the Father of Lights." Praise be to the Father of Lights for the Perfect Gift. He fills our lives with meaning, grants us undeserved grace and love, infuses us with joy, and gives us each at least one birthday every year (mine is March 20th).

Contributed by Rhonda Rhearrhea@juno.comRhonda Rhea writes for dozens of great Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her new book, Amusing Grace, at your local Christian bookstore. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site atwww.rhondarhea.net