If the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year, then the day after Christmas is probably in 2nd place.
As soon as the last bows and ribbons are torn from beautifully wrapped packages, shoppers make a mad dash for the stores once again to return their unwanted gifts.
Why do people return gifts? Here’s the top answers I’ve overheard standing in long lines at customer service departments:
*This is the wrong size.
*I don’t need this item.
*I just don’t like it!
I’ve made all of these comments before. Some gifts I know will go back to the store before I even open them, just knowing who they’re from! (But I always smile and say thank you!)
The gifts I appreciate the most are the ones where the giver has taken the time to get me something that truly fits my personality.
However, there’s one gift I don’t appreciate as much as I should. And it’s not a gift that’s given just at Christmas. It’s a gift that’s offered to all believers in Christ every single day.
It’s the mercies of God.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says this, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
The mercy of God fits me just right. It will never be the wrong size. He knows me inside and out. Some days I need less and other days I need as much as my sin-stained-soul can soak up.
The mercy of God is something I’ll always need. I’ll never get to the point where I can say I have enough. Imagine how prideful it would be of anyone to utter, “I don’t need any mercy!”
The mercy of God is not just something I like. It’s something I absolutely crave. As much as I don’t deserve it, it’s the most astounding gift I could possibly ever receive. It’s definitely a gift I love.
And to think that this gift is new to me each and every day!
No matter how I feel.
No matter what my circumstances are.
No matter what is going on in the world around me.
No matter how many times I’ve blown it in one single day.
Some of our favorite gifts make our faces light up. But even those won’t last……
The perfect sweater will eventually wear out; the Godiva chocolates will quickly be consumed; and the gift cards to our favorite stores will be spent.
But the love, mercy and faithfulness of our almighty God will keep on going. There is no expiration date. It will never stop. It will never run out. They are available to us each and every day.
If you find yourself standing in a long line to exchange or return those unwanted gifts, use the time to reflect upon the mercy of God. Think about the truth of this absolutely perfect gift. A gift tailor-made just for you.
I pray you will embrace the mercy of God like never before as you begin a new year in 2015.
Bless you dear friends! Thanks for reading and supporting my blog this year. With the mercy of God, I’ll continue to share my heart and encourage you on your journey with Jesus.
Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Blessings to you!
Lisa Preuett
http://www.reststopforthesoul.com
Lisa Preuett~Rest Stop for the Soul 