The Gifts I REALLY Want my Children to Receive

As we begin the busiest shopping season of the year, I am reflecting on the gifts that we will be giving our children this year.

Among all of the gifts, and toys, and clothes, and electronics – all the choices and the ‘things’ – there is something missing, gifts that really need to be given.

We’ve made our lists, and bought presents for the family but there are gifts that haven’t been bought and these are the gifts that I really want my children to receive.

These gifts are nothing that you can wrap up in a package and tie a neat little bow around.

They are not something that can be delivered by Santa Claus or left in a stocking.

They cannot be opened, but they can be given.

They can be given through love, sacrifice, and prayer – through thoughtful parenting, and life experiences.

These are the gifts that they will need during all of the important times in their lives, and they are gifts that  I hope they will someday receive.

The Gifts I Really Want My Children to Receive

Wisdom –  I want them to receive wisdom.  The Wisdom to know right from wrong and where to turn in times of need.  The wisdom to look for the good in all, but to judge the facts and know when something is wrong.

Knowledge – The knowledge of everything the world around them has to offer.   The knowledge of a merciful God and of Family that loves them more than anything.  Knowledge of the talents that have been given to them, and how to use them.

Understanding –  An understanding of life’s lessons, that they will meet trials and hardships and they WILL persevere.  An understanding of why things may not always come easily.  An understanding of the differences in people, their talents, and successes and to accept those differences.

Fortitude –  The fortitude to continue through those hardships, those times when life just does not seem fair.  The fortitude to push through to accomplish anything that they dream of.  And most importantly, the fortitude to say no, to recognize when someone or something is not right an to stand their ground on the faith and the moral understanding they have been raised with.

Yes, this Christmas, a midst all of the wrapping and lights and glittery bows, these are the gifts I REALLY want my children to receive.  If I could wrap them up and put them under the tree, I would do just that.  I hope that as they grow they will be blessed with these gifts, that they will be given Wisdom and Knowledge, Understanding and Fortitude, these gifts that I cannot buy.