Thanksgiving Gifts

When it comes to gifts, God doesn't give wimpy gifts.  When He decided to give a gift, He gave Himself for our salvation.  The utmost gift He could give was to give the gift of knowing Him and the ability to have an intimate relationship with Him.  Is there anything we could possibly be more thankful for than His gift?
It is wonderful having children, grandchildren, family and friends around us during the holidays.  But, even as we prepare to give gifts, do we follow the model set before us by our Lord?  We tend to get caught up in things we can give when God has shown us that the most important thing we can give is ourselves.  That is the utmost gift  -  the gift of ourselves to others, just as our Lord has done for us.  And the beauty is that when we give ourselves, as redeemed ones we are giving not only ourselves but we are also sharing the light of Christ who lives in us and loves through us.
So, in the midst of thanksgiving as we celebrate His utmost gift to us; may we prepare to give the utmost gift of our redeemed selves to others that He might be glorified. "As the Father hath sent me, so send I you."  Let's stop and pray for God to reveal to us the many ways we can gift ourselves this Thanksgiving and Christmas.  mjm