When I got married 10 years ago, I received a wedding present that was unexpected. It was a beautiful nativity. Since I got married in July, Christmas was definitely not on my mind, and I had never even thought of the fact that I would want a nativity to display in our home. It became my favorite wedding gift that first Christmas that we were married because I realized it was something that I did want, although it was unexpected. It was also something that I could never have afforded at the time, so I appreciated it all the more. Sometimes the unexpected gifts are the best ones.
I look at motherhood the same way. Of course, I wanted to be a mother. So, that part was not unexpected, but all the difficulties and trials that have happened in the almost 7 years since I’ve been a mother have been unexpected. Yet, every time a new challenge comes about in my life, it teaches me something precious about myself and about how special my job as a mother is.
I think life is full of unexpected gifts. And, I think that most often, those unexpected things that happen to us do turn out with a wonderful ending. Or, they teach us the most. Maybe we can’t see it now. We don’t have the Lord’s perspective, or his timetable, but if we have faith that He is in charge, and loves us more than we can understand, it might help us open those unexpected gifts a little more eagerly.
Maybe that gift comes in the form of a devastating divorce, or loss of a loved one. Maybe you have a child that is special needs. Perhaps you suffer from illness or depression. Maybe a friend betrays you, and you don’t know how you will ever be able to forgive. Or, you have a child that has gone astray. Whatever life brings, there is usually an unexpected gift waiting for us when all is said and done. What that gift will be may take years to uncover. But, hopefully, we can gain perspective and realize we have a loving Heavenly Father that wants the best for all of us.
*Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com