What Did You Get Me?

What Did You Get Me?

By Joan M Borton

My husband and I have a game we play around birthdays, Christmas or any other gift- giving occasions. It goes like this: “So what did you get me?”

Sometimes it’s said once in passing. Sometimes it’s repeated over and over in rapid succession to wear the giver down, hoping they’ll leak a clue.

I know this sounds rather childish for two adults, but I think it’s one casualty of not having children. We sometimes have to play that role ourselves. But one season, this game took a turn.

On the morning of December 23 rd., I was having a delightful quiet time with my Lord. I had finished my reading and my pondering, and in fact was just about to put down the pen after recording the last word in my journal for the day. That’s when I heard it . . .

“So, what did you get me?”

I paused and listened to the voice—but it wasn’t that of my husband. It was my other beloved’s voice—Jesus! As I tuned in to His voice, I heard, “It’s my birthday soon, you know. I’ve seen the gifts you’ve gotten for everyone else. What did you get for me?”

Wow, I felt a bit like I’d been sucker-punched . . . in love. I don’t think I’d ever seriously considered giving him a gift on his birthday.

When I shared this exchange with my husband, his response was, “Isn’t that just like God to speak to us in our own game and language? For the rest of the day and over the next several days, I considered what I would give Jesus for his birthday. Or the better question: had I planned to give Him anything for his birthday? If I hadn’t, why not? And if I were, time was slipping away, so I better decide quickly.

What do you get the Lord of the universe, who owns everything and can create anything out of nothing? The only response I could think of was “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)   I think what Jesus wanted was more of me. All of me, in fact. No need to figure out the trendy or popular gift of the season to give him, but to “Just do it!” To surrender myself and obey what He has already shown me. 

Several years later, I think this is still the gift he wants and the one I need to give. This is an opportunity to evaluate what I am still holding back from full surrender.

What about you? What are you giving to Jesus for his birthday?

 

Author Bio

Joan's Bio - Joan Borton, along with her husband Jerry, is the co-founder of Luke 14 Exchange, Inc. She is a longtime disability advocate who has traveled around the country speaking and teaching on topics ranging from disability awareness to soul care to marriage and disability. She and Jerry just celebrated thirty years of marriage.Joan is the author of Marriage Ability: Embracing the Richness of a Marriage Affected by Disability. There is little that Joan enjoys more than encouraging a caregiver and listening to them share their life. She is passionate about strengthening families affected by disability. When not working or writing, you’ll find her consumed with a jigsaw puzzle or reading in her hammock, or swimming.