Most of us try to be thoughtful when we give a gift. We think about the recipient. We ask ourselves “what would he like?” or “what would please her?” On a day like today, Christmas Day, it is often possible to receive a gift and not truly think about it and the deeper riches of the gift. Let me give you an example.

The gifts I receive from each my grandchildren are some of the best. It isn’t because they are expensive. It isn’t even because they are practical. The best gifts are the thoughtful ones coated with love. They bring joy and that is like a dose of good medicine.

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas with our daughter’s family. Each of the four grandchildren of the Schultz family presented us with gifts. The three boys gave us hand-made cards with hand-drawn pictures. One even had hand-made needlework from the youngest grandson. It is shown here:

A Note from George

 

 

 

 

When I opened the little jewelry box that Violet gave me, I could immediately see she selected a gift that was very appropriate for a papa that goes fishing. It was fishing lure. Then I turned it over and my heart melted. Then I read her note and my heart was reduced to mush. LOVE YOU PAPA. It was good medicine for my soul. I even appreciated her exhortation to “don’t forget to relax.”

But even more important was her sentence that said, “You are such a good role model and very wise.” That should not cause me to be puffed up with pride. It should cause me to stop and reflect about how I need to continue to run the race of life and finish well. It is important to be a good role model and to finish as a good role model. The baton is being passed. Don’t drop it. Pass it well.

Note from Violet

Prov. 17:22 (ESV) “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Prov. 17:6 (ESV) “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

 

APPLICATION:

  1. Stop a moment and THINK about the way you can bless a grandparent. The words from your heart will often be good medicine for old, tired bones and a heart that needs some good encouragement.
  2. Think about how you can bless a young person. What gift of medicine do they need?

ONE FINAL THOUGHT: No, I won’t be using this gift as a fishing lure. It might be lost to some foolish fish or get tangled in a tree. That would not be good medicine for my heart.