PERSONS ARE GIFT

"And YOU, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you CONTINUE in the faith, stable and steadfast, NOT SHIFTING from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." {Colossians 1:21-23}

May the HOLY SPIRIT strengthen us with the STRENGTH OF HIS WORD to continue in our faith in Christ Jesus through the consistent meditation on his Written Word and never shift from the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Persons are gifts which the Father sends me wrapped. Some are wrapped very beautifully; they are very attractive when I first see them. Some come in ordinary wrapping paper. Others have been mishandled in the mail. Once in a while there is a ‘Special Delivery!' Some persons are gifts which are loosely wrapped; others very tight.

But the wrapping is not the gift. It is so easy to make this mistake. Its amusing when babies do it. Sometimes the gift is very easy to open. Sometimes I need others to help. Is it because they are afraid? Does it hurt? Maybe they have been opened up before and thrown away. Could it be that the gift is not for me?

I am a person, therefore I am a gift too. A gift to myself, first of all. The Father gave myself to me. Have I ever really looked inside the wrappings? Afraid to? Perhaps I have never accepted the gift that I am…? Could it be that there is something else inside the wrappings than what I think there is?

Maybe I have never seen the wonderful gift that I am. Could the Father's gifts be anything but beautiful? I love the gifts which those who love me give. Why not this gift from the Father?

And – I am a gift to other persons. Am I willing to be given by the Father to others? A person for others? Do others have to be content with the wrappings…never permitted to enjoy the gift? Every meeting of persons is an exchange of gifts. But a gift without a giver is not a gift; it is a thing, devoid of relationship to a giver, or givee,

Friendship is a relationship between persons who see themselves as they truly are: gifts of the Father to each other, for others…brothers, sisters. A friend is a gift not just to me but to others through me. When I keep my friend and possess him, I destroy his ‘Giftedness.' If I save his life for me, I lose it; if I lose it for others, I save it.

Persons are gifts, gifts received and given, like the Son. Friendship is the response of persons – gifts to the Father – Giver.