Like children, we are limited in the quality and scope of gifts that we can give God. Child of Eden, original oil painting by Steve Henderson; licensed open edition print at Framed Canvas Art.

When I was a very young child, I wanted desperately to give my mother a proper present, but being a child, I was unable to buy or make something of the quality that she deserved.

So I made regular raids into her bedroom, picking up an item that she already owned and loved, and wrapping it for her.

“Here,” I handed her an icon of the virgin Mary that I had pulled off the top of her dresser. “This is for you.”

“How delightful!” each time she accepted the gift as if 1) she didn’t already own it and 2) I hadn’t already given it to her. Some days, I gave her that icon three or four times.

My own granddaughter, at five, does the same these days, and I regularly receive books, tea cups, and trinkets that I already own. And each time, like my mother before me, I receive them as they are intended: gifts from someone who wants desperately to give something, but has nothing acceptable to give.

So we are with God.

Please read the rest at The Gifts We Give to God — When We Have Nothing Acceptable to Give, at my BeliefNet blog, Commonsense Christianity. I am unable to post the entire story here, so I would appreciate your following the link, especially if you are always mentally whipping yourself for not being good enough, righteous enough, gentle enough, gracious enough.

This article is linked to Graced Simplicity, Thriving Thursdays, Hope in Every Season, I Choose Joy, Thrive at Home Thursday, The Deliberate Mom, Growing in Grace, A Handful of Everything, Mom on Demand, Missional Woman, Faith Filled Friday, Heart Filled Friday, Essential Things, Family Fun Fridays, Freedom Fridays, Friday Blog Hop, A Look at the Book, Nourishing Joy, Mama’s Story, Modest Mom, Life of Faith, Moms the Word, Mum Monday,Stitch by Stitch, Serendipity, Frugal Crafty Home, Life in Balance, Mopping the Floor, Thoughtful Spot,