Gifts of Faith

I've never been the easiest guy to buy presents for. I don't really have any collections, my interests are a little eccentric, I'm not one that gets into the latest "gadgets" and I already own enough ties. Every Christmas my wife would kindly try to draw out of me what I would put on a Christmas list and every year I'd only come up with a few suggestions--some of which (such as socks) didn't exactly make the gift giver feel like Santa.

This year further complicated this dilemma for my family. My already small list had been reduced even further by my illness. At present time, I've lost the ability to do so many of the things I've loved to do (run, fish, bike, play tennis, eat … just to name a few). My hobby list is at an all-time low. Hence, I don't have as many things that I use or want right now.

Yet, my family, loving people that they are, wanted to give me gifts anyway. So, I began suggesting that they give me what I came to call "gifts of faith"--gifts I can't use right now, but Lord willing, I will in months to come. I received a few fishing lures for the day when I can handle a rod and reel again. Most notably, I received gift cards for some eating establishments I miss--Red Lobster, Jamba Juice, Coldstone, Baja Fresh. Right now these gifts are just pieces of plastic sitting in my drawer, but I trust that the day will come when they become pleasant outings, delightful tastes and fine memories. They were given to me and received by me in faith that the day will come when I will swallow and eat and enjoy this aspect of life once again. I have no human evidence of any improvement in my swallow, but I continue to look forward to the day when this part of life is restored to me.

I will confess that I looked to see if the cards had an expiration period on them--I have hope, but no assurance, that I'll be swallowing in the next year. "Would their gift be wasted?" I wondered. My humanness reveals itself on a steady basis.

I tell you this today because I like the spirit behind these gifts. "We believe that you'll eat normally again, Dad. You're going to swallow again, Honey." This is what I heard with each card. This itself was a gift…the gift of faith.

Sometimes we can believe for ourselves. Sometimes it helps to have others believe for us. Our faith can waver. Our "faith meter" can look like a Minnesota thermometer in January. Then someone comes along who has the faith to believe for us and the warming breeze begins to thaw our hearts.

If you don't have the faith to see your way through your current crises, hang around people who do. Some of these people can be found in books--read the biography of a saint such as Hudson Taylor or countless others who have walked the road before us.

Others of you are in a place where you can come alongside and believe for someone else who is faltering in faith right now. Don't be shy in expressing your God-confidence when theirs is wearing thing. Don't be obnoxious about it, but buoy them up with your belief that God is in this and He is good. This is a significant ministry. Don't underestimate it.

The gift cards sit in my drawer, but when I see them they are a statement to me: someone believes that a better day is coming. Maybe I can keep believing for another day as well.

Believing with you that God's goodness will be revealed in your trial,
John

PS I have the privilege of preaching at Salem Alliance this weekend. I'm a bit apprehensive. I haven't felt as strong the last few days and the message isn't coming together as I would desire in my head and heart. If you think of praying for me for this weekend, I would appreciate it. Thanks for being people I can turn to for prayer.