Do you love getting gifts?   Isn’t it fun to anticipate them and be excited about the possibilities. Whether it is Christmas, birthdays, or just “because I love you” gifts, it seems like it is always fun to get gifts. Maybe always is a bit too universal.

There have been a couple of times when getting gifts can be a bit scary. Ever go to one of those 40 or 50, or what ever age some random person has decided is over the hill, and everyone has brought a gift? You don’t quite have the anticipation as when you open other gifts. Or maybe you going to a Man Gathering or bridal showers. Those can be a bit nerve wracking or at least hilariously embarrassing. This last year Susan got a gift for her birthday, and if I am honest I was a bit afraid for her to open it.

It was given by our daughter who, while usually very trustworthy, can be VERY creative when it comes to gifts. I had received a number of phone calls in consultation prior to the gift, but was never quite sure what it was, only that I was going to be involved. At first, I was concerned it was two tickets to sky dive, but I warned her off of those(see below x10). But I got the sense that it was a bit extreme. The hints were all about flying, etc etc. and so then as I wracked my brain, I came upon the idea of a hot air balloon ride. I thought “Oh no , not that. “

Now to be clear, it is not because I am inherently afraid of heights, or even of falling, it is the sudden stop end at the end that actually troubles me. There is something about risk vs. benefit that makes me not want to ride in a hot air balloon. (to all the hot air balloon lovers I apologize in advance) You see my reasoning goes something like this: After investing all of my life in ministry and my children, and I really love what is going on in my life, to die in a hot air balloon accident would just be stupid. The benefit (“ooooh look a mountain!”, or “There is Puget Sound!”) and being able to say “look how high we are only supported by a flammable fabric filled with hot air, lets go a little higher by lighting more propane…” just doesn’t have a lot of appeal to me. My creative daughter and my adventurous wife had me a bit afraid as she opened the gift. Turned out my fears were unfounded, it was indoor skydiving. It was a blast. Turns out I could trust my daughter after all….. this time.

So it would seem, that the eagerness of our desire to receive a gift is somewhat tied to who it is giving the gift. How eager we should be for gifts from our Heavenly Father! Jesus said this in Luke 11:13 – If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

 Do you trust Him? Do you trust His gifts?

 Holy Spirit rain down!

See you at church.

Pastor Chris