Opening the Many Gifts available along life's paths!

This picture depicts to me the many gifts that lie waiting for each of us along our many paths in life! It does not matter where we stop or turn, there are always piles and piles of gifts of all shapes and sizes, waiting to be seen, or not; waiting to be opened, or not; and waiting to be enjoyed to their fullest if we desire! Some are surprising! Some are unusual and take time to figure out. Some require a bit of instruction to "assemble". But all are designed perfectly for us, without any missing or damaged parts, for us to use and enjoy, and are available to help give all of us an abundant life, if we desire. We also can pass many of them on to others to help, heal and give joy.

Some come in friendships or just acquaintances. Frequently I find them in encounters with strangers. Often I discover many come with hardship and pain, sometimes in difficulties or even seeming attack or injury. But if I can stop before judging or reacting negatively to anything, I find there are gifts in every experience of life, no matter how difficult or painful. Even in an emergency or urgent crisis, evidence shows we are more effective if we are calm, taking time to sop and pray for wisdom, peace and help, if only for a moment. God gives us strength, comfort and support, all gifts. Even grief and sorrow can cleanse and heal older hurts that have never been attended to.

Sometimes the gifts are not seen right away or we are still waiting for the one that makes us feel really good, but as we are waiting and trusting in God, God provides the little gifts along the way that smooth the path, strengthen us and comfort the hurts, if we surrender to what we cannot control, turn everything over to God, especially what we find painful, disappointing, discouraging or frightening, and pray for wisdom and discernment, peace and stillness of heart, mind and spirit. God always provides the supply of all we need when needed.  God is not usually early but God is never late! Keep looking for the gifts, ask to be shown the way, God's way. When the gifts are seen, be thankful for even the little ones and realize there really are no little ones and lots we take for granted. En-JOY life along life's way on  life's terms, always good according to God's provision and leading.