Gifts

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Matthew 7:11

So, yesterday I was invited to Panera Bread (restaurant) to do Bible Study- the same day I wrote of my desire to implement Impulse control.  Yes, I believe as well that this had to be some cosmic joke because, while I did not purchase anything, my friend picked up a plate of like ten muffins for six people.  We were expecting more, but everyone took comfort in saying that it's not a problem, if no one else shows up they said I could easily take care of the rest.  Which is true, Apple Cinnamon Muffins are amazing.  But yet, I resisted! I had one muffin at the beginning of Bible Study and fought my desire to have another for the rest of the time, like actively fighting too, I couldn't concentrate on anything anyone was saying. 

Finally, there was one muffin left, and I couldn't help myself anymore, I asked if anyone else wanted it, then I took it, and walked it over to another table where I asked the guy there if he wanted a free muffin.  A small victory was mine! I was rid of temptation, not by my own means but by implementing Christ's command in my life.  And it was such a feeling to, which I suppose it was selfish to an extent, but I still did it! I gave of my excess, not because I saw any particular need, but simply because I had more than I should.  Often times, what stops me from giving is the thought that I do not have any clue what anyone else needs- or that I don't have anything anyone else wants.

Both of those are lies, it is not in my eyes to see what other people want or need, it is all in God's, and if I recognize what I need and give of the excess- that is an excellent start.  My goal is to give even what I perceive I can't, knowing that the Lord will provide, but I definitely want to get in the habit of giving first.  Just that feeling of giving; of not worrying about image issues like whether they liked it or not, it was so worth it just to give what I could- to show my love that goes deeper than an object or a smile.  It was just doing what I could do, rather than what I had to.

I think this lesson is going to make my Christmas extra special, and I hope my gifts can be extra personal, because I know at least the sentiment behind them will be :)