Apron
They were gifts that I gave to my daughters years ago, and as I was at Jamie’s house a few weeks ago, a familiar thought, tucked deep away, made its way to my front burner. It was from one of my bible study mentors named Janie Putnam, and it had to be a lesson she taught over 30 years ago and continues to this day to be relevant to me. Her husband had given her a gift, that she opened it but she had put on a shelf, and one day she got it down . (It was a computer or some electronic device) and began to use it and it was a blessing to both of them. For a gift that is used and enjoyed fills the heart of the giver showing that it is appreciated and it also fills the receiver knowing that it is something of useful significance.
The gifts I gave my daughters were monogrammed pink aprons from Williams Sonoma. Jamie’s apron was well worn, and was a backdrop for the nudges and smudges from the masterpieces that she continues to creative; as she has become a talented and gifted artist. The gift was small, and at the time remained tucked away in a drawer, I am sure. But as she began to paint and realize the gift that God had given her, the smock was a needed accessory.
There are two nuggets that God showed me when I dug into thinking about this apron:
1) Christmas is upon us and gifts are being bought and given throughout the season, but as I left Jamie’s house, I thought about that apron and as you can tell still am. The apron is a shield, or covering to keep the finery underneath protected from unwanted smears, and also acted as a backdrop to catch leftover paint splashes and nudges that are ultimately used to create her master art piece. God is our shield: He protects us and is with us every moment of our lives to ward off the messy infractions that the world sends our way. And God also is there to keep our nudges and smudges at bay. We then can carry on without worrying about them rubbing off on the progress and development that is being created within us through God. Each of us are his workmanship in progress and each day our lives are being transformed into a masterpiece that HE only has designed and one that we can hardly imagine.
2) Christ is the gift offered to each of us. We may hear about him, or read about him or even dabble in thinking about him, but until we accept him, we are merely putting His gift on the shelf or tucked away in drawer that we hardly ever open. It is only when we reach out and up and accept the fact that God is the gift that keeps on giving, that both the giver and receiver are truly blessed. Everyday his blessings will be anew and we will see how he is transforming our lives and helping to shield us from the smudges and nudges that life throws at us. His presents of love, protection, wisdom, strength, comfort, forgiveness and grace are only a sampling of all God’s blessings that he has tucked in His one gift. And just as many of Gods gifts are not often tangible, so it may be with our gifts to others. Time, a loving or thoughtful gesture, phone calls or a note can often time serve as the most appreciated gift of all. For those are heart gifts, just as God’s are.
So back to the apron, well-worn and stained and filled with nudges and smudges, my thinking is: if we put on HIS heavenly apron and wear it proudly, and confidently, then this will open up and allow Gods’ creative powers in us to thrive and grow. We may not be artists but within each of us is a talent and gift designed for us to use to bring glory to God and fulfillment of our purposes. His gifts within you are
personally chosen, his gift of salvation is offered to all. Yesterday is called the past because it has already passed, and tomorrow is called the future because it is still coming. But the present is just that, for each day we live, it is a present from God.
Also regarding presents:
From Christian Today.Three Reasons Today is called the Present.
28 January 2017
1. Today is a gift from God. It's both a fact and a truth that no one can ever purchase for himself an additional day to live. While a man is able to pay for another night's stay in a hotel, or spend a fortune for medical treatments that could prolong his life a bit, only the Lord is able to add a day to our lives on a daily basis.
This simply means that if you're alive today, God has decided to give it to you. After all, He wants to bless His children with long life (see Psalm 91:14-16).
"This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
2. It's Occurring Now, Not Earlier Or Later
Today simply means "today," not yesterday. What God is doing in your life right now is different from what He has done in days, weeks, months, and years past. God doesn't want you looking back and condemning yourself for what you have done from the time you were born until yesterday. He simply wants you to move on, sin no more, and live for Him.
"Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over times gone by; I am doing something new; it's springing up — can't you see it?" (see Isaiah 43:18-19)
3. In It, God Has Something in Store for You
Now that we've established that today is a gift and is another chance at living for God, we need to realize that today is also another opportunity for us to be blessed by God. The Bible tells us that His mercies are available for us always. No wonder – it's renewed every morning like a fresh cup of coffee: strong, flavorful, and able to wake you up from your slumber.
Enjoy God's mercies today!
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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