Devotion

Don’t Dissect Your Blessings
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ---James 1:16

Just like how we need to do better about receiving compliments in a positive spirit, we also need to do better about how we receive gifts and blessings. Not all of us, but a lot of us have a habit of dissecting the purpose of a blessing when someone delivers or provides us with a gift. Instead of being grateful in the moment, thanking both God and the provider vessel- we get extreme and start saying things like, 'You didn't have to do that.'  'Oh, you shouldn't have.'  'What did I do to deserve this?'  'Oh,  I wish you didn’t do that, because now I feel obligated to get you something.' 'Okay - I'll remember I have to do something for you on your special day.'  Quite frankly, I gawk at some of the responses I've gotten when I have given gifts. But I hope we will stop and give thought to the whole picture of receiving blessings. Giving is rooted in love-not obligation. The first example of giving is found in God when He gave us His Son, Jesus. His example proves to us that we can never do anything to deserve blessings. They are freely given with no strings attached... remember? Any response to a gift/a blessing outside of gratitude and thanksgiving is a mockery to the Giver of Gifts. Nothing about our lives is a coincidence. God is involved completely. Start accepting gifts with a spirit of humility and gratitude. Keep it simple saints. Just say,  "Thank you!"