Full Price

The most significant presents
       are not boxed and wrapped with a gift receipt
                              under the Christmas tree,
but those that are lived out
           --"gived" out as it were--
in the every days,
in unexpected moments,
in mostly inconvenient situations,
         and not what I had in mind at all.
Opportunities show up on the front porch,
         waiting in the check out line at Target,
     the nudge to speak to someone,
           to give them my place,
           to give them my time.
"Now?"
"That?"
"Her?"
Full price.
No discounts.
No returns.
The times of loose change in my pocket,
          a cup of cold water,
        a kindness in my words,
 appear as insignificant small things
              but look a lot like love,
    precious and profound.
Every day is not a holiday,
       but every day is a holy day
when love and grace are given.

Do not withhold good
     from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

                          Proverbs 3.27