I was nearing the end of wrapping Christmas presents, when I realized that once again, I was short not on wrapping paper, but on boxes. In a galaxy far, far away, stores actually used to provide a gift box for your purchase.
As our girls were growing up, they soon comprehended the reality of the dearth of boxes. In absence of a gift box, I'd find some kind of package in which to wrap the gift. As they pulled the decorative paper from the neatly wrapped packages, they rarely could guess the contents. They would comment, "The box means nothing." Whatever was printed on the outside of the box usually did not give a clue to its contents. Surprises lurked within. A shoe box might contain a long-wanted sweater. A large carton might bear a small joy that was never so small.
Don't judge the treasure by the box it is in.
At a recent gathering, I met a new neighbor who had moved into the neighborhood shortly before the unanticipated covid lockdown. And in the midst of it, all the challenges of a new location and strange surroundings. Lockdown meant her job radically transitioned, and quite suddenly, as for many of us, her work became remote. Their guestroom became her office. Her three daughters were also confined to home as schools were shut down.
Eighteen months later, her girls returned to in-person schools. But her work is still based at home until the offices are finally and fully reopened.
As one who has worked remotely much of my career, I always like to ask, "How do you like working from home?"
She hesitated for less than a moment. "It was a gift," she replied.
She described the logistics of managing a large department of a national company from a small bedroom, continual zoom meetings, phone calls and messages that demanded her immediate attention.
"And it was a gift," she repeated. For the first time in her long career, she was so proximate to her family. Even long hours, hard work, and busy days did not often preclude her from having lunch together during her daughters' break from online school. Her girls often just peeked their heads into her room and waved, or snuck in for a quick hug. There was no arduous commute or long business trips to endure. She found a blessing in what appeared on the outside as disastrous circumstances.
A very odd box was delivered to her doorstep. Something she had not looked for....or ordered...not anything she thought she needed or wanted. But when she opened it, God surprised her.
What touched me was not just her attitude, but her heart set. She looked for the gift. Not for "maybe someday" or what was next. But in the now. She did not miss it for what appeared on the outside.
And I thought, what if I considered this affliction of my own, this momentary suffering, this unknown path, this difficulty as a gift? We all struggle with something. And there is always something more that comes with it.
The box means nothing. Look for the treasure within. God packs blessings in unexpected packages, in unlikely places, and impossible situations. Sometimes we recognize the blessing at first sight. Surprise! But sometimes we question God. This is not what I signed up for. Wrong person, God. Wrong address. Return to sender. But as it is accepted and grows, we discover a new strength emerging or resources we never knew we needed, custom-fit, right when we need it most. A surprise as well. And always, God's faithfulness.
May we realize something different in this situation. His Presence. And that makes the significant perceived alteration of what appears on the outside and revealed within.
"Trust Me in this" in whatever strange box lands on your doorstep. You will be amazed at what God brings to it.
Count it as a gift in unexpected packaging. See it redemptively.
Now to Him
who is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or imagine...
Ephesians 3. 20
