Unwrapped

the ripping begins
bows fly, shiny paper ocean with floating toys
and I see one year with You
in ten minutes of her faces
surprise, gratitude, plans for play
savoring the beauty and possibility in each package
this year
I unwrapped new depths of You
new levels of Your story
shiny packages of loving me in my mess
new house
new job
new trust in Your provision
new history of Your stomping grounds
new lens to see the world beyond my own
new faces I might never have noticed
more ache for the broken-hearted as mine began to heal
more love for my husband
more freedom from perfection
one small candle and a call to pass the flame
You surprised me
confused me
moved me
tested me
held me
taught me
warned me
laughed with me
and gave much better gifts than Santa Claus
Merry Christmas
Happy Birthday
and thank You
for a year of undeserved gifts
You must have smiled at my funny faces, too . . .

"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." Matthew 7:11