I remember very clearly the Christmas of my 5th grade year. It was a very important time in my life. I asked for several things, but there was one gift I had to have. It was an ID bracelet. You know what I am talking about? The bracelet that has your first name on the back and your last name on the front. You would give it to your girlfriend or boyfriend so everyone would know you guys were going steady. I had to have one. I put it on my list and checked it twice. I made sure my mom took me to the jewelry store and I personally showed her which one I wanted. I told her how I wanted it engraved. I made for sure it was going to get done. Or, so I thought......
Christmas day came. My mom did like always and came into my room and informed me that someone had been at our house. It was the day of presents. I was ready to get my ID bracelet. I knew it would be there left by Santa and I couldn't wait. I busted through the living room expecting to see my bracelet laying there and nothing. There was a remote control car set out by Santa. There was a stocking full of the usual gummy strawberries and tooth paste and socks. I opened present after present expecting that ID bracelet and it never came. I remember opening clothes. I think I got a CO2 bb pistol that year. I opened gift after gift and I never got my bracelet....
Then it happened. My parents asked the question. Did you get everything you wanted? I immediately said NO!!! I DIDN'T GET MY BRACELET!!!
I remember the feeling I had as I type this. I was horrified that I had just told my parents they had not given me what I wanted. I mean, I had gotten more than most people do in a year and the one thing I didn't get was what I wanted most.
My dad said, "what is in that can under the tree?" It was a can that had a $100 dollar bill wrapping around it. They then told me to take that can and open it with the can opener. Guess what was inside?
My ID Bracelet. I remember feeling like a real butthole. I mean, I felt like I was the most ungrateful person and my parents loved me enough to get me the one gift I wanted more than anything.
As I thought about the 21 day challenge, I thought about this story. I thought about the desire I had for that bracelet. I thought about the lesson I learned that day as I saw that bracelet in the can. I learned my desires had became more than the reason we celebrate Christmas. My mom and dad looked at me on the one day we were supposed to be grateful and their faces were not proud of their son's desires.
I wonder if God looks at us like that during this season. Are we focused on our selfish desires? Do we feel the presence of God in our lives on a daily basis. Are we walking with Him daily?
Matthew 6:21 says,
"for where your treasure is, there you heart will be also."
Day 2 - Challenge
List 5 ways you feel the presence of God in your life.
1.
2.
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4.
5.
We will never truly be present in our families life until God is truly present in our lives. Some of us may still be looking for Him in a can under the tree.
It's time to make God be our favorite present each and every day of our lives. His presence in our lives will be evident by our treasures we have.....
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