SHOWING GRATITUDE FOR GIFTS RECEIVED

We best acknowledge a gift by using it

 

During this Christmas season there will be considerable gift-giving between family members, friends, business associates, and acquaintances. When you receive such a gift from someone else, beyond the verbal expression of appreciation and perhaps a thank you note sent to the giver shortly thereafter, how might you genuinely show your gratitude for that which you have received?

 

If the gift is an item of clothing, you would show how much you like it by wearing the garment. An edible present such as candy, fruit, or cheese might be cheerfully shared when others come to your home. Not all of the gifts that we receive, however, come in boxes with colorful paper wrappings and ribbons. Indeed, some of these less physically tangible but unmistakeably valuable gifts come to us from our loving Father in Heaven.

 

There is an area in southwest Baltimore where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a small congregation identified as the Brooklyn Park Branch. This is a relatively poor neighborhood, but the Church members who worship here have warm hearts and generous spirits. Everyone who walks through the front door of the building is immediately accepted and made to feel welcome.

 

Sister Lindsay and I had been invited by another senior missionary couple assigned to Brooklyn Park to attend  their Christmas dinner and special program this past Saturday evening. Within a few minutes after coming inside, an older female member of the congregation walked up to us, introduced herself, and presented us with a white envelope. The handwritten words on the outside of the envelope simply said, "Merry Christmas" and her name was carefully printed inside on the beautiful card.

 

I watched her go around the room to every family that was present and repeat the same action, which prompted me to ask our missionary friends to tell us something about this woman who obviously wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This Church member's true story is an amazing example of someone who was given a special gift later in life after years of struggling with drug addiction and other afflictions.

 

In the midst of her personal trials and weaknesses, this woman discovered the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and embraced it with a grateful heart. At the age of 40, she learned how to read and write, and one of her special ways of expressing her thanks to God for the gift of literacy is to write Merry Christmas and sign her name to as many greeting cards as she can share with others she meets along the way, even total strangers.

 

Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church, offers this timely thought,  "In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?"

 

The good woman in Brooklyn Park Branch has learned that all good gifts come from God, and she happily acknowledges the gift that she has received later in life by cheerfully  and freely sharing it with others. God loves a grateful heart!