Be Open to God’s Will and Unexpected Gifts

My two weaknesses in life are chocolate and beautiful jewelry.  My husband has always known this about me, so when we were first married, he set about fulfilling my “beautiful jewelry” craving with an unexpected gift.  With the birth of each child, he bought me a lovely piece of jewelry to mark the occasion

I had always wanted a claddagh ring, and I was not very subtle at hinting about it – actually, I was pretty shameless with my “wants” when we were first married. (Growing up is hard but good!) A claddagh ring is an Irish wedding band that finds its beauty in the meaning of the ring’s symbols:  faith, friendship, loyalty.

Not Exactly What I Was Thinking

So, after my son was born, my husband presented me with a small ring box, and I was thrilled!  I saw on his face the pleased anticipation, and I could tell he was waiting for my approval.  I opened the box, and my heart sank slightly.  He had bought me the claddagh ring, but he added an extra touch – Michael had the jeweler insert a heart-shaped ruby (the birthstone for July) and little diamonds in the crown.  I had my mind set on exactly what I wanted – a plain, gold claddagh ring-faith, friendship, loyalty! That’s it. No rubies, no extras, just what I wanted – but he didn’t give me exactly what I wanted.   

I’m not good at hiding my feelings, especially when I’m in the throes of post-partum hormonal raging.  I saw the disappointed look on my husband’s face and tried to convince him “I loved it”, but he knew better.

I am embarrassed to think of how selfish and ungrateful I was. If it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, I wasn’t sure I wanted it.

Embracing the Unexpected

But I wore that ring almost every day and find that it is now one of my most precious pieces of jewelry.  I really LOVE the ruby and prefer the design over a plain gold ring!  It represents my husband’s thoughtfulness, generosity, giving me more than what I thought I had wanted, and a very special reminder of my July baby – no one has that same ring, which was designed especially for me. 

I would have never picked it out, but it is so much better than the plain one I wanted.  Not only does it represent Michael’s faith, friendship, and loyalty, but it also represents our unique and united love.

God’s Will – This is a Gift?

Fast forward 18 years.  All marriages go through ups and downs, and we were in a down swing.  My daily prayer was asking God to heal issues between Michael and me – to make us more united. Then, Michael was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer.  Let’s be real- who thinks that’s an answer to prayers and one of God’s gifts?  Of course, no one does.  No one hopes to experience chemo, financial distress and near ruin, or confronting the thought of being left with seven children to raise alone.  And yet, what an unexpected gift and indeed an answer to prayers!  My husband and I learned what it meant to “let go and let God”. 

What Cancer Taught Us

We learned to be calm when we didn’t have control.  We learned what a living Faith really meant.  We saw the importance of our family life with microscopic clarity.  We became very aware of what was important in life and what wasn’t.  We felt the Grace of prayers from our friends and family. 

Without the God’s gift of cancer, I don’t know that we would have the deeper commitment to each other that we have.  In dealing with the unknown of cancer, our children experienced their parents humbled, vulnerable, and dependent on God.  Without that gift, I would still be spending my life trying to control – even though I never had it and never will. 

Accepting God’s Gift of His Will

When we give up trying to control life, we are free and open to what God wants of us.  We can be filled with HIS plan, HIS will, HIS gifts for us.  And HIS gifts and plans for us are far more glorious and generous than we can ever imagine.

Ask and you shall receive – but be open to what the Giver wants to give.  Be prepared for a gift that you may never have expected, nor desired – but is perfection. 

Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him!

What unexpected gifts have you received? Please feel free to comment below.

Have a great day!

Janet