Gift Returns

Gift: 1 : a notable capacity, talent, or endowment 2 : something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation 3 : the act, right, or power of giving
Grace: 1 a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

What is a gift? For the purpose of this conversation, it is something given from one person to another. I know that there are other kinds of gifts - from God to us, for example, but let's just consider person to person gifts for now.

What do we give to each other? Attention. Reassurance. Affirmation. Physical gifts (presents). Good wishes.

For it to be truly a gift, then it needs to be given without thought of return. We need to give the gift without the expectation of something in return.

Do I always do that? Do I always share grace without the expectation of it being returned? Can any of us do that? What does the expectation of a return gift do to our giving? I think that it can rob us of joy. When we give in the expectation of a return of grace, then we can often be disappointed when the gift is not returned. We lose the joy of sharing grace and love.

Help me not to do that. Help me to give without the expectation of return. Amen.