Last night as I made final preparations for our birthday celebration (in other words, I finally wrapped Terry's gift that had been hiding in my closet for a month), I wondered if I had gotten my twin the right thing. I purchased two books for her, but later I found another one I liked, and I bought it for myself. Would Terry have liked that one better? Too late to change my mind. My book is already sitting on the living room shelf for all to use, and Terry's is wrapped in sparkly paper waiting for the moment when she opens it.
So I brushed aside my mild worry with the words, "All I have is yours." Does it matter what I give my twin? Any book I give her, she'll share with me. Anything I keep for myself is hers to use. All I have is hers.
This is exactly how the father of the prodigal son felt as he welcomed home his wayward boy. He threw a party and gave him gifts, but the older son stood outside and pouted.
"Where's my party?" he asked.
"You are always with me," the father answered. "All I have is yours. It's only right to celebrate because your brother was lost, and now he's found."
God's gifts to me sometimes come wrapped up in pretty paper like the book I'm giving Terry. Sometimes He throws a party and presents them publicly. Other times He quietly places all His possessions on the living room shelf and says, "All I have is yours, Jen. Use it whenever you want."
As I celebrate my birthday and the beginning of a new year, I hope I don't get distracted with wrapping paper and bows. May I notice all of God's gifts and reach out in faith to use them--they come from my Father's heart.
