Some people are just really good at giving gifts. My friend Tan is one of those people. Shortly before I left on vacation a few weeks ago, Tan and I were having a conversation about babies, which led to a discussion about Blake’s nighttime routine. To sleep soundly, she requires a noise machine and music. I was lamenting the fact that we did not have a viable gadget on which to play music while we were on vacation, and we were worried that she might regress in her sleeping habits. Tan listened and said he knew what I was talking about. He said his little girl was similar and that he had concerns about the same thing before their first trip.

The next Sunday, Tan walked into my office and handed me a wrapped gift. He said it was exactly what I needed for vacation. He was right. ‘It’ was a little childproof, easy-to-use ipod player that could be placed in Blake’s crib. He said that it had saved him and his wife on many a trip. By using Tan’s thoughtful gift while we traveled, Blake’s sleep routine stayed the same all vacation.

Gift giving does not come naturally to all people. Some just buy whatever they like, assuming that all would enjoy it. Some simply go with cash or a gift card because picking things out is difficult, at times even risky. Some people buy only sale items. Some buy practical things. Some buy extravagant things. For the most part, any gift is nice. But Tan’s gift was especially meaningful because my friend had listened to my story, realized I had a need, gone out of his way to find a solution, and then presented it to me. It was meaningful because it was a gift that met a real need in my life.

I am of the belief that God is constantly gifting us. I am not sure that we are totally aware of all God’s gifts that we accept each day, mainly because we are not really aware of what we need; nor are we taking time to ask God for these needs in prayer.

Consider the prayer that Jesus gave us as a model for our prayer. We are told to pray for our daily bread; not food to last a full month or even a week, but simply prayer for daily needs. Praying for daily bread probably made more sense to a people who at one point saw manna fall from the heavens for their daily provision. Today, many have pantries filled with supplies that could last for over a month. The Lord’s Prayer is all about the needs for today – this moment. If we really spent time realizing what we are told to ask for, would we not celebrate God’s gifts all the more when they are given?

Or consider any of the healing stories contained in the Gospels. People went to Jesus with very specific needs. They knew exactly what they wanted. So it made it easier to celebrate when Jesus freely answered those requests.

I think we miss much of the celebration of the gifts because we are not really sure what we even need any more. Really, everything we have, and all we are, is a gift.

Each day is a gift. Each day is filled with grace, love, and presence. Each day is filled with unsurpassed beauty. Each day is filled with moments that we will never experience in exactly the same way again. Each moment with our spouse, children and loved ones is gift, even when they are not at their best. Look around. It is all a gift. Let’s take time to notice those gifts and to celebrate the great Giver that is our God.