Gifts to Bless

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.
 
PICTURE this: God has brought to you and your household many gift boxes. As you open the boxes you discover compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You are surprised and happy for the gifts. But you’re a bit unsure if you are to use them. So you ask the Father, who gave them to you, “Are all of these for me? What am I to do with them?”
    And his response would be, “Yes, my child, these are for you. I love you and want to give you the best things in life. Put them on and wear these gifts. They will enrich your life and the lives of those around you.”
    As the Lord leaves to deliver his gifts to others, you try on humility. When you do, you realize you have been wrong to be so demanding of others. You put on forgiveness, and you think of someone who hurt you last week with unkind words. Now you pick up the phone to let them know you care for them.
    A bit later you try on goodness and compassion, and they fit perfectly. Your thoughts turn to helping your neighbor who is a single parent.
    When you put on patience someone at work needs a bit of your time, and you listen to his needs. You kindly offer to pray with him, and he feels God’s comfort.
    How wonderful it is to give gifts to help others. You have done so, and you are pleased when people benefit from your gifts. Yes, God has brought gifts to you. Will you clothe yourself in them? Will you put them to use as tools to enrich your walk with Jesus and to help others see him more clearly? God’s gifts will enrich your life and help people know the Great Giver.
   
Life Thought: What’s in your box today?