Thomas saw through my bag containing five tubes of peanut butter mini M&Ms meant for the grandkids’ Christmas stockings the day I bought them. His mama called him out with a grin, saying to me, “He’s a Sneaky-Peeker!” Later that same day, after celebrating a birthday party for Jesus, after opening his stocking and after seeking and finding three gifts each in a scavenger hunt designed just for him and his brother, it was time for him to open his biggest surprise from his mom and dad, a family trip to the Great Wolf Lodge. Unfortunately he was so focused on the M&Ms he’d seen earlier, probably wondering why he hadn’t found them yet that he missed the excitement of the trip he’s been talking about wanting to take for months.
I was watching all of this unfold later that day on video captured by my daughter. His dad had helped him untie the bow and Thomas started digging into an oversized gift bag. Several shiny helium balloons floated upward first and were immediately snagged by little Timothy. Next he lifted out two GWL T-shirts and wolf ears from a reusable bag that looked exactly like the lodge entrance. His parents had gone all out to make this a special surprise. My daughter announced the upcoming trip and bless his little heart, instead of excitement, Thomas continued looking into the bag and asked, bewildered, “But is there M&Ms?” Dad came through with the big save by sharing his bag of Reese’s Pieces with the boys and the party was back on.
Thomas is four and Timothy is not quite two. They live in the moment and their attention is often easily distracted. They’re toddlers so we expect as much. But isn’t that often how we respond with God? We pray, and we ask for what we think we want or need and we busy ourselves watching for the answer to our prayers. When God brings us something that looks different than what we expected, usually something infinitely more incredible, we fail to recognize His gift because we’re so focused in on something else entirely, something lesser, something of our own design.
Another Thomas offers us a glimpse into where focusing our hopes on our own expectations might lead us.
“One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came.
They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
Jesus’s disciples were expecting a conquering king, a hero to right their immediate wrongs just as much as any other Jew living in Roman occupied Judea. A suffering servant was not even on their spiritual radar. Why else would James and John’s mother have petitioned Jesus for places of honor for her sons on Jesus’s right and left in His Kingdom? Why else would the others have been indignant about their asking? (Matthew 20:20-28) Jesus simply reminded them what He confessed to Pilate. My kingdom is not of this world. It is not an earthly kingdom. (John 18:36)
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’
Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.”
John 6:44-45, 47 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.6.44-47.NLT
“Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them.
The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them.
“Peace be with you,” he said.
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands.
Put your hand into the wound in my side.
Don’t be faithless any longer.
Believe!”
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me.
Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.””
John 20:24-29 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.20.24-29.NLT
We teach our children to express appreciation to the giver for every gift they receive, even if it’s not exactly what they wanted. We set the example, hoping they will follow. It’s hard for an elementary aged boy to appreciate socks. It’s tough for a teenaged girl not to compare her gifts with what her friends received. How often have you reminded yourself that it’s the thought that counts? Gratitude is crucial because it reminds us of an important truth. Everything we have, we received. (I Chronicles 29:14) We are stewards entrusted with what rightly belongs to our King. Whatever He chooses to give us in every season is exactly what we will need to accomplish the purpose He has for us. Before we can recognize the gift, we must know the heart of the Giver.
““For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. [Matt 13:12; Luke 19:26]”
Matthew 25:29 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.25.29.AMP
This Christmas, may our eyes be opened to Christ, to all He is and to every good and perfect gift from His hand. May our worship reflect His place in our hearts and homes.
“We didn’t see it coming
The story of redemption
What started in a manger ended in an empty grave
Hope has a name
Immanuel
Light of the world who broke through the darkness
All hail the King Immanuel
The light of the world
The glory of heaven”
Get to know the God of your salvation in His Word, the Bible. With the Psalmist, offer Him your praise today.
“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord!
He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.”
Psalms 145:1-18, 21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.145.1-21.NLT
BEHOLD HIM~Francesca Battestelli https://youtu.be/ulGqyckf-oI?si=WC-WcaPft3zoyqRC
HOPE HAS A NAME ~Passion https://youtu.be/sdxl66UdYVQ?si=AiMhvuSlGBLOsrIX
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