You are a gift from the Lord. When was the last time someone told you that?
You are a gift from the Lord, no matter how old you are!
Unfortunately, you may not hear that very often. And, so I want to send you a little reminder that you are, in fact, a gift from the Lord.
Psalm 127:3
I recently had the privilege of speaking during Chapel at my sons’ school, and this was the theme of my message. I shared with the students, faculty, and staff Psalm 127:3, which says: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.”
That passage, in context, is technically a message reminding parents that children are a reward in this life. We as parents sometimes forget that in the busyness of life or when our children are misbehaving like children do. Yet, they are valuable no matter what. Remembering their great value in our family and in this world helps me respond to my children’s misbehavior with more grace than I might otherwise. That’s a similar grace that God shows us as His kids who also “misbehave” at times.
Once a gift, always a gift
Although the passage may be more obviously about parenting, my emphasis was in chapel and is now to you that once a gift, always a gift. That means that you’re still a gift today as an adult…yes, valuable to your parents, but also valuable in this world. You are a gift from the Lord! You don’t stop being a gift at some magical point in life. You maybe just forget you’re special, or perhaps others forget that you’re special. But, you’re a gift no matter what!
Other people are also gifts from the Lord
Likewise, we sometimes forget that everyone else is a gift. Maybe we’re too busy to see, or maybe someone disappoints us or makes us mad, and seeing them as a gift is the last thing on our minds. But, for whatever reasons, we don’t always so easily see that others are a gift or treat them accordingly. Beginning to see people as a gift from the Lord may sound silly to some of you. All I can say is, try it! See for yourself if thinking he/she is “a gift from the Lord” changes how you see and treat others.
We, too, don’t always act like a gift from the Lord
Of course, none of us are perfect, and so we, too, don’t always act like gifts, do we? In one way or another, we can be unkind and insensitive to others, and when we do these types of things, it makes it more challenging for others to see and treat us like a gift. Recognizing our impact on others is an important step toward making appropriate changes to improve our relationships. We are helped to remember that God sees us all as valuable. That’s pretty incredible that God loves us like that despite ours and others’ shortcomings! We next must choose to treat others as gifts.
4 ways we can treat others as gifts:
- For starters, “do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
- Next, “be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
- Also helpful for us is that we “encourage each other and build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11).
- And, we should “all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19).
By seeing and treating people in this way, we in essence are saying to them, “You are a gift from the Lord.” We don’t necessarily treat them this way so that they will treat us the same in return, but our positive treatment of them may positively influence their treatment of us as well.
You don’t have to be perfect
Some of you may be thinking about now, “Sounds good, but it will never happen.” You’re right. It is hard to consistently treat others as if they are valuable. We don’t and won’t get it right every time. But, we can at least try. And, while I could go on about that, I mostly just want to remind you once again, you are a gift from the Lord. In your best moments and in your toughest moments, I hope you’ll remember that and love yourself in light of that truth no matter what!
Thanks for reading!
Before you go…
Share your thoughts below in the comments section. I’ll do my best to get those posted as quickly as possible.
If you think this article may be an encouragement to others, please consider sharing it via Facebook or Twitter (see below for sharing options).
For more ideas and encouragement, “follow me” @drshannonwarden (Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram). And, sign up to receive my Hope to Build On blog by email. by email.
Scripture references in this article are from the New Living Translation and linked to www.Biblegateway.com.
Thank you, I enjoyed your Blog. I would love to put it in our Preschool Newsletter to my parents here at Triad Baptist Preschool. Please let me know if I have your permission. You are a blessing to others.
Laura, you’re speaking my love language, thank you! And yes, please feel free to share my blog. I hope others will be encouraged by it!
Shannon, thank for this message. about being a gift from God. Just this week I have been blessed to minister to a dear lady who lost her husband. And she has said “I feel like I do not fit anywhere .” Helping her see from God’s own word that she is His special child has helped somewhat with the pain she is experiencing.. Your messages are inspiring. I will share this with her.
Thanks, Estelle! I hope she will be encouraged by the truth of Psalm 127:3. God still has a plan and a place for her in this life!