Has anyone ever handed you a beautifully wrapped gift? A gift just sitting there waiting to be discovered? The thought of being given a gift makes me feel special. It’s a simple gesture that sends the message:

You are loved…

Years ago..

When I began the wild ride of raising my daughter on my own, I wasn’t exactly thinking about all the gifts I would receive along the way. In all honesty, I was too consumed with the humiliation, rejection, and embarrassment of what I perceived as a failure, that I absolutely couldn’t see what fruit could come from the hard work and dedication of doing the right thing every day. This is especially so while at my lowest point.

Nearly 20 years from the beginning of that journey, I have much respect for these five, hard-earned gifts.

And today, I am going to share them with you.

• Motherhood. Need I say more? A gift that is nearly indescribable. My life is much richer because I am a mom. I hope yours is too.

• Heartache. This was the first gift that began to cultivate a spirit of gratitude for both the good and the bad seasons. Heartache, oftentimes, can teach us to appreciate pain. The kind of pain that when leaned into and heard from can produce wisdom so deeply ingrained in us that it seems our hearts may never reach that level of brokenness again.

• Favor. a gift in the word itself, favor has graciously landed on all of our paths in one way or another. You know the feeling of frustration that comes with the uncertainty of direction? Or the worry and anxiety of how you are going to do it all on your own? Over and over again when I have encountered moments in time such as these someone has found favor on me. From family, friends, welfare workers, teachers and employers, I cannot count the many people who have taken me under their wing and opened a door for me.

• Family. This is a hard one for me to put into words. Specifically, because I understand not everyone has been given the gift of a family that is willing or blessed enough to be able to give abundantly. Why was I? I may never know. Yet, families that come together and support one another through hardships are a gift I wish I could share with everyone I know.

• Mercy. I chose mercy as one of the five because it is in my ignorance, in my deliberate negligence in handling my life that I was given over and over again what I did not deserve. An immeasurable amount of mercy. This unbelievably incredible gift has helped me to have empathy and compassion for others. To understand each and every one of us has our own unique journey and to love them in the midst of it. Just where they are.

These five beautiful gifts continue to produce sweet fruit.

As I make my way through life the precious smell and aroma of these gifts are so very present. No, they are not tangible. One could not purchase them online or in a store. They did not come at the expense of someone’s bank account. They are not extravagant in value as the world may measure. Birthed from a place of humility these five gifts are so very precious and priceless.

I know all of our stories are uniquely threaded together – a gorgeous tapestry in the making.  I love that we all have a gift or more to share.

Have you discovered yours? Would you consider sharing them? I would love to hear.