Sometimes I love this life too much. I revel in her gifts, long for what I can’t have, grasp for what I’m losing, think real life and happiness are found in all the gifts rather than the Giver. Other times, I long for heaven so badly I think my heart might cave in. I see this life for what it is – a moment, a breath – and desire weaves her way up and out from deeper places than I even knew existed. And in those times, the earth fog lifts and it’s as if I know fully even as I am fully known. But the clarity doesn’t visit long, and just as I try to document it, the stuff of life and laundry come back down like a curtain, leaving me wondering how the mystery ever felt real at all.
We plow through the day, head down, eyes shut tight, hands busy, heart whirring, ears pounding with running lists and broken hearts and don’t forget the milk at the store. Our prayers are mostly talking and our hearts are mostly longing for something, anything other than this fast-paced life. And my job isn’t even one of those typically stressful ones like brain surgeon or president.
I consider the gifts hiding in secret but wide-open places. And when I do, He slows me and invites me into Himself. These gifts are not me, He says, but they are evidence of the mystery. What can I do but see them, pick them up, turn them over, and unwrap them? The grass is flattened in my front yard because they’re learning to play soccer. The washroom floor is covered in blankets because the whole family stayed with us. The desk is piled high with books and papers because I get to do the job I love.
This life is bursting with the mystery of God. Find the gifts that point to the Giver and be curious in your longing. Do not discount any season you might be in. Do not wave away that deep desire for more. Begin with the gifts at your feet and see where they take you.
We would love to read about your Tuesday gifts by inviting you to add your link below. Be sure to include the permalink to your Tuesday post. If you need help to link up, this page will hopefully answer all of your questions. Be sure to link back here to Chatting at the Sky so that others can find our community. I look so forward to reading your posts. Welcome back to Tuesday.
thankful to celebrate life with you, my friend.
Oh, how I’ve missed this. It’s a joy to come and read here.
It is so, so good to see you back here on Tuesdays. I feel my soul taking a long, deep breath. Thank you:)
“do not discount any season you might be in.”
thank you… this season for me is… not beautiful. but you usrge me to seek a little gift and the words come again. thank you. thank you for the reminder that the mystery of this life lies in the little…
I am excited to link up with your words and share in this community. I hope I did it correctly, though. I wasn’t sure how to put a button on my post, but I did link back to this one. I hope that’s OK. I’m sort of slow when it comes to the wide world of technology and all it has to offer.
You did it perfectly, Callie. Thanks for joining in!
Emily, thank you for hosting Tuesday’s Unwrapped. This is my first time participating and a precious way for me to reflect on the gifts God has placed in my life today.
I soooo needed this today. Sometimes it’s so hard to embrace the season you’re in. But I know I’m here for a reason. Thanks for the encouragement. Your words are my gift today!
Ever-lovely.
ps – I had a dream about you last night. You were a dancing fool (in the best way).
I am at a place of longing, deeply desiring more and *different*…and yet, I have Today. It’s immensely painful sometimes to stay Here, and be patient for There (where ever *there* is, anyway).
That’s us this holiday too. One of my girls off in a battle and the rest here at home. I feel torn by more than just the lists and busyness this time, this year. Praying for you and me in this in-between place today…
Happy Tuesday! I am soaking up these words and unwrapping the value, “Do not discount any season you might be in.” Thank you!
Just thinking yesterday, “God, I want to start over, and I don’t want You to change my circumstances; I want You to change me! Thanks for the reminder. I don’t have a post to link now, but maybe in the upcoming weeks I will.
I’m so glad you’re doing this again Emily. I’ve added my link but somehow I always have difficulty linking here. My picture has come up but it doesn’t go to my post. I’ve tried several times – but no luck. I’m sure it’s me -). I can’t even get my link to copy and paste here in the comments. I’m so sorry.
Dear Emily…YES..your words plucked the strings of my heart and reiterated the conversation a sister in Christ and I shared last night..and amidst our “distractedness” He still and ever loves us!!! AMAZING!! Blessings one and all…
This post speaks my own heart, the back and forth-ness of my heart between the things of this world and the longing for the next. I’m so happy for this little season to unwrap the gifts again.
My thoughts exactly! It’s good to have this space back. A place to breathe in His presence. Photos that capture it and draw us into fellowship. Thanks Emily!
Love this
Love your words. They mean much. And thanks for hosting us here – you are a beautiful and gracious hostess!
YAY! I have missed these tuesdays! (and until I came here, I thought it was Thursday. Silly me). Thank you for writing. It is a blessing to me and my easily disgruntled self.
I’m so glad these days are back. It’s like stealing a moment away from my day to hear of others.
Thanks for bringing these tuesdays back, Emily! I wasn’t going to link up today, cause I’m the midst of my own little thankful celebration on my blog…but your post inspired my post today. I am choosing to be thankful for this season I am in–I am not discounting it, as you say. Thanks.
Hi Emily! I enjoyed reading these past posts, so I am thrilled to be able to take part this Advent season, and link up. Question though: I’ve tried to grab the text from your ‘Tuesdays Unwrapped’ blog button to post on my blog, and it doesn’t let me do so…(when you link on copy, it doesn’t copy). I imagine that’s on purpose for the rest of your photos of course, but am I trying to pick up the blog button the wrong way? Would love to use your bloggy button on this and future posts. Thanks! Blessings to you!
It’s my first visit! Thanks for sharing your heart today!
Emily – This message in this post is so powerful, and it is so beautifully written, that I have printed it and posted it on my wall right in by my monitor, so it is there for me to see, read, mull over often. Your insight is astounding; thank you for sharing it.
Emily, thank you for opening this up again. I hadn’t realized how much I missed your invitation to see, breathe, capture and tell the stories of my mundane days. I am rusty and out of practice at actual writing and loved sitting down today to share. Thank you for hosting and for inspiring.
Thank you for letting me surround myself with the the gift of time. To really feel and be present to the offerings of others. The hug from my husband when he came home. The words from my boys to describe their days -in the form of texts – and continued stories as we sat and ate dinner together. It all brought peace to my heart today.
i *love* tuesdays unwrapped. i’m so glad you are doing this.
i didnt realize it was starting this week, but i thought my monday’s post works. {one of} my precious gifts. moments spent together…
hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving holiday.
xo
Emily, I love your blog. This post spoke straight to my heart today. I love the way God writes through you!
Thank you Emily for Tuesday’s Unwrapped. I am linking up, but I cannot get the html code for the button to work on my blog. Any ideas?
What a beautiful writer you are! I found you through Sarah’s site who linked up with you today. Congrats on your new book. I love everything about it from the title to the cover to the overall message. Just when I think I’ve read all the great Christian books, another one comes along that I just have to get! Blessing, my friend.
Emily,
Thank you so much for hosting this! I love how a little thing like this has caused me to open up the gifts that many times I would have blown right by and not even made the time to take in. I am stopping, opening, and enjoying! Can’t wait for more!
“These gifts are not me, He says, but they are evidence of the mystery.” yes. the aching produces the hoping…
What a beautiful post! He speaks to us every day in so many ways, and how sad it is when our hearts are too weary to listen to His gentle whisper. He is always there, unchanging, always loving us, awaiting our response.
Your blog is a blessing and I am now following it by email, and I invite you to follow mine, Saved by Grace
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Laurie Collett
Hello Emily. I am visiting for the first time and so glad I did. Your words were so beautiful. And so thankful for participating in this community also.
Oh yay! So very glad to see you back here on Tuesdays! I have missed having this great motivation to count my blessings at least once a week!
Yay!
We had a week of clouds – at least, it felt like a week. I got used to the dark, even embraced it, because it felt more like Christmas coming on that way. My eyes hurt if things got too bright. I forgot what light looked like, if you can believe it. And then yesterday, the sun came out, and I looked up from my computer and I remembered.
I am afraid of “thank You” until I am thankful, until I see why. And then I can’t help it. You are right. The gifts are the reminders.