I think I have received the gift at least six times. The first time was Christmas 1976 from my parents. Since then, it has proudly been presented to me in a variety of gift bags with tattered tissue paper hastily thrown in by 7-year-old Princess daughter. I make a big deal about the gift every time I receive it, then put it back in her room several days later. It showed up the other day when she knew I was having a bit of a rough time.This ever-appearing gift that represents my little one's sacrifice and desire to please me reminds me of the greatest gift I've received - the day Christ released me from a life of bondage. Just when I think, "this time I've done it," His gift reappears and reminds me that his mercies are new each day.
When I can't imagine that I could deserve such generosity, He tells me that as my father, He owns everything and wants to share it all with me.
And when I consider the love that spurs yet another round of gifting, I am humbled that I was chosen to receive the gift, yet again.
I smile as I look at the bottom of the gift - a boxed set of "Little House on the Prairie" books - and read the cheesy comment I wrote on it more than 30 years ago: "This box holds a special treasure to me." The giver knows that, which is why I'm expecting the gift to show up in a few weeks on my birthday.
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