There are not many things that are more precious than seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child. And every now and then if you really listen to their words with your heart, you just may stumble on a priceless nugget of gold!
A few days ago my four-year old grandson, Ian, wanted to help me wrap a few gifts. I saw it as an opportunity to have some fun one on one time with him and to share some gramma wisdom about the real meaning of Christmas as we wrapped gifts together. But instead I was the one who was blessed with the innocent wisdom of a child.
Being true to his independent nature, Ian wanted to wrap one of the gifts for his Uncle JJ all on his own without any help from me. It was a package of socks and I was about to put them in a small box before he wrapped the gift. He quickly told me he did not need the box but wanted to wrap it “just like it is.” I stood back and watched him carefully cut a too big piece of Christmas paper and then proceed to use enough tape to wrap a baby elephant! When the gift wrapping finally met his approval he showed it to me and I told him what a great job he had done. I was not prepared for what he said next. He closely studied his finished work as he held his lovingly wrapped gift. Then he looked up at me and said, “Gramma I know the present is not wrapped all perfect. But that’s ok. My Uncle JJ will love it because it’s what’s inside that really matters. It is not that important what the outside looks like. Right Gramma?”
BOOM!!! The look on my face must have said it all as a sweet reminder of truth settled into my heart.
I leaned over and gave him a big hug and said he was right. He was SOOOOO right! He then dropped his treasure into the large packing box with the other gifts that would be shipped out of state later that day. He gave me another hug and ran upstairs to his next adventure.
I stood there for a few minutes looking at the “not perfect” wrapped gift and pondered my grandson’s words.
“IT IS NOT IMPORTANT WHAT THE OUTSIDE LOOKS LIKE…IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT MATTERS!”
Oh my oh my! How many times have I had a conversation with someone who did not feel they were good enough, neat enough or had it together enough to matter to God? How many times have I tried to explain to someone that God loves each of us just as we are? We do not have to go to painful lengths to “package” ourselves to meet God’s approval! I do not know who you are, but someone reading this needs to hear this TRUTH.
GOD LOVES YOU! It does not matter how you are packaged…HE LOVES YOU! He loves you because he knows what is inside of you and that is what he is after. God loves and wants your heart! He wants you to let your heart be his home because it is…YOUR gift to HIM!
So this Christmas I challenge you to ponder the innocent and honest truth from the lips of a child. Stop second guessing yourself. The truth of the matter is that NONE of us are packaged perfectly. That is the awesome beauty of a perfect God! He looks way beyond our imperfections. Dare to open your heart to Him and watch how His perfect love can transform you in ways you can only imagine. God loves you…. Merry Christmas!
Photo Credits:
Joy photo: Unsplash.com
Blue wrapped gift: Rosie Williams
Note: This blog post was written by Rosie Williams and first appeared on Nuggets from the Heart. This blog post, either in part or in its entirety, may not be copied, duplicated, edited or appear in any other publication without the written approval or permission from the author. For full copyright and disclosure information, click here. For questions regarding the use of this blog post, you may send an email to Rosie Williams by clicking here.
In the rush, I lose my patience with those that are most important. Good reminder, I don’t mind messy presents but I sometimes lack the patience to reteach how to tape and wrap presents again. This is a service to my sons. A grace – Lord let me see it that way!
Rosie, you are right, we so often only see our imperfect wrapping and fail to recognize that we are beautiful in the eyes of God and others. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Have a blessed Christmas .
That truly is a gold nugget. Thank you for sharing. How blessed you and your grandchildren are to have each other to love along the way! Love in Christ,
Beautiful. I love it when God uses young children to drop a truth bomb on us! I sort of miss that about having little ones around. I learned SO much about God and myself from my kids when they were young. Of course, teenagers are full of their own kinds of lessons too, and I love this stage too, but there was just something so precious about all those precious lessons God taught me through my babies! Thanks for sharing this Rosie!
Dear Rosie,
This story “unwraps” a beautiful truth about God’s love for us and how He speaks through the mouths of babes. My heart is so touched by your retelling of this story and I can rejoice today in the love of my heavenly Father. By the way, you are beautiful inside and out dear friend.
“But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things He did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked Him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”
Matthew 21:15-16 (NIV)
Debbie, I am so glad you were touched by this sweet story. Nothing like the innocence of a little child. They are a gift! Blessings to you.
That ministered to me Rosie. Thanks. I remembered when we first met at PRC. You had such a tender heart. I was still fresh from losing my husband. Thanks again for the nugget!
Hello Linda. We do go a way back don’t we? Glad you found me and I hope you will continue to be blessed in the future.