Not Just A Bow On Top

 

...as a gift to the LORD.

            Leviticus 7. 14

(This awkward, difficult situation

   looks nothing like a gift.

It is not just doing what

the LORD has placed before us,

but going above the needful

and turning it into a present,

             given willingly.

A gift is not that I have to do this,

       but I really want to.

Because any gift always has love attached

   and price tags removed.

How can we transform

     what we are doing today

--fixing the toilet,

   discovering a cure,

   accommodating interruptions,

   starting a difficult chore--

        into a gift to the LORD?

Intentional effort,

a willing heart,

and seeing it differently.

Not a task or obligation,

    but opportunity,

to love Him more.)

O LORD,

You offer to us

the wonders of this new day,

even its difficulties,

     storms and potholes.

Grant to us the strength

and creativity to turn it

   into blessing You.

Not just putting a bow on top,

but allowing ourselves

           to be led into it

with hearts that see

      something new and different,

even in the same ol' details.

Renew our energies

  not just to do,

  but to be Yours in this.

We offer to You our time,

our endeavors, our hearts,

   as a gift to You,

and watch how You

 multiply it amazingly

in the lives of others.