Re Gift?

I gave a gift to someone this Christmas and they were disappointed in what they unwrapped.  My heart turned inside  me as I watched the expression of this persons face.  I had put some thought into the gift  and quickly shared in the disappointment.  Was it unthankfulness on their part? Lack of understanding?

Later, I reasoned with myself about the incident.  A gift is a GIFT.  I don't OWE it to someone.  I gave it from my heart.  But what if it's received with less than gratitude?  Did I give it so that I would be praised and thanked or did I give it out of love? Did the gift "fit" that person?  Even if they don't understand that "fit" yet?

My mind quickly moved to the gifts that I have been given. Mainly by my Creator.  I am thankful for the skills and talents that He has blessed me with BUT sad to say....I haven't always been.  I would look at other women and wish I had what they had...do what they could do...BE more like them...look like them...create like them...not understanding that the gifts I was given were designed just for me.  I wanted to re-gift. I didn't understand the "fit" yet.  I had to develop and use my gifts to see and enjoy the "fit".

I believe we are given new gifts all the time...we just need to open our creative and spiritual eyes.  Not be so quick to toss things away.  Ponder, maybe even set on the shelf for just a bit and wait and see what need will arise that you can use this gift.

During the Homespun Fair, an older woman came into my booth and was looking at the silver ball chains that  held my pendants.  She asked me if they were strong.  Thinking that she was asking me if they would hold the chunky pendants that I made I told her that I had never had one break.  She asked if she could just buy a chain.  I said "yes" and begin to think about how much to charge her.  I removed the chain from a pendant and took it to her and as I did I was impressed to 'give' it to her.  While I was holding the chain she began to dig around in her purse and pulled out 2 little silver toe rings.  She told me they represented two loved ones who had died (one of them being her daughter) and she had not been able to wear them for a long time.    She handed me the rings and I slid them on the chain and placed it around her neck.  She asked "How much?" and I answered "Nothing. It's a gift."
She burst out in tears.  Buried her face in her hands and sobbed.  I touched her shoulder.  I hadn't been prepared for her reaction, after all, the chain had cost me so little.  She told me that she didn't know what to say and clutched the rings in her hand.  I said she didn't need to say anything and go have a blessed day.  She walked away with the little gift I gave her....but I knew it was SHE who gave me the bigger gift.

My empathy for people who are hurting often causes me great pain.  But I see it as a gift. It fits me.  I won't re-gift it.

As Christmas day continued on, the gift I gave began to show it's worth to the disappointed person.  They saw the 'fit' and as they used it...became very thankful...