The Greatest Gift

Our oldest son, Ezekiel, has recently developed an affinity for gift-giving. But it’s to the point now that it’s a little beyond cute. It’s a downright obsession for Zeke. In fact, just yesterday, Tasha was trying to leave the house with all five kids for a play date at a friend’s house and Zeke was insistent that he hand-make special cards for each child at the play date. With the other four kids buckled in the car and ready to go, the crew waited for an additional five minutes while Zeke frantically made his cards, careful not to leave out any child who would be at the play date.

As frustrating as it might be at times to wait on him to conclude all of his taping and wrapping, and to constantly remind him to pick up all the tiny pieces of cut up paper and sticky tape all over the floor, Zeke is a living reminder to Tasha and me of the things that really matter in this life. Zeke is perhaps the most thoughtful kid I’ve ever met. He is careful to include everyone. He doesn’t want anyone to be left out. He wants everyone in his little circle of influence to feel special, important and valued. His language of love is gift-giving, without a doubt.

As I sat here at my desk listening to the standoff Tasha and Zeke were having and laughing under my breath at Tasha’s expense (sorry babe ;)), I couldn’t help but be reminded that gift-giving is God’s love language as well. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God sent His only Son to earth to be the propitiation for our sins. To become sin for us. “For God so loved the world, He GAVE His only begotten Son …” (John 3:16). He proved His love through giving the greatest gift possible—His Son.

Sadly, most of the world despises the greatest gift known to man. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, most of the world places its affections on things that can never fully satisfy–things that can never offer any greater gift than temporary, fleeting pleasure or a broken, man-made system of finding peace and fulfillment.  We all worship something.

Next Sunday, the whole world will celebrate Easter. Some will celebrate by dressing up in their Sunday best and grudgingly trotting into a church building somewhere to endure the longest hour of their year. Others will celebrate on the golf course. Others will celebrate by treating it like any other day. Yet, there will be some who willfully and joyfully enter a place of worship and lift their hearts and minds to the Creator of the universe and thank Him and bless Him for sending Jesus to rescue them from sin.

As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday on April 8^th, make sure you take time each day to stop and thank God for sending Jesus, the greatest gift. Thank Him for proving and demonstrating His love in the most mind-boggling and profound way possible—giving His one and only Son. Also, take advantage of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, with your family. You can find some creative ideas to impart the resurrection truth to your kids on Tasha’s blog under the label “Holy Week.” http://tashavia.blogspot.com/search/label/Holy%20Week