Comparing Gifts

Susie felt perfectly happy with the Christmas gift she’d been given…until she saw what her sister had received. Mary had gotten a brand new wagon! Suddenly, her gift–a glittery apron, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and oven mitts–looked unimpressive.

All through Christmas dinner and afternoon play time, Susie pouted, missing out on enjoying the special food and fun time. Oh, how she wished she could have her sister’s special gift! She finally took the problem to her father.

“Why did Mary get that?” she whined. “I wish I could have that gift instead of this one.”

Susie’s father scooped his daughter up into his arms. “Susie, Dear, I gave each of my daughters just what she would need. Can’t you trust me?”

Susie sighed, not sure her father hadn’t made a mistake. But looking into his eyes, she knew she could trust him. She hopped down, comforted and with a new mission: to use the gift she’d been given.

Over the next few weeks, Susie began discovering the joy of baking. To her surprise, she could make delicious food. Equally to her surprise, a dear friend who lived down the street got sick. Susie began making meals for her…and Mary transported them over in her wagon. Truly, their father had given each one just what they’d need.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,  so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12: 4-8 (ESV)