The Ultimate Gift

In the movie, The Ultimate Gift, Red Stevens trys to make up for his mistakes during his life by coming up with a plan after his death that teaches his grandson, Jason, some important values. He gives Jason twelve assignments that help Jason find twelve gifts on his way to trying to receive his grandfathers inheritance.

1. The gift of work. Having work to do is a blessing. Having been taught how and having the ability to get that work accomplished is a bigger blessing. 

2. The gift of friends. Life would be lonely if we didn't have friends. The only way a person can have friends is to be a friend. It's a gift you must give in order to get.

3. The gift of money. Money is the fuel that makes things happen. Yet the Bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Although we have a responsibility to be good financial planners during and after our lifetimes we should not hang on tight enough that we put more value on it than our faith, our families, or our friends.

4. The gift of family. Quite often it takes half our lifetime before we realise what a blessing family is. Family is the one thing we can take with us to eternity after this life on earth.

5. The gift of learning. I confess, even though God gave me a bright mind I didn't apply myself all that well in school. Just ask my teachers. When I did I would work ahead in my subject workbooks so I could stay home and help my dad farm. I use to quote Mark Twain to my teachers. "Don't let school get in the way of education." Learning and school are both very important and I'm still learning every day.

6. The gift of problems. This doesn't sound like much of a gift. Learning how to handle and cope when things don't always go as planned is crucial.

7. The gift of laughter. Laughter is good medicine and can be very important to us both physically and mentally. Seeing the funny side of everyday situations can help us cope on those tough days. Folks that can laugh at themselves are much more fun to be around.

8. The gift of giving. Generousity is not occasional. It is a way of life and it gives back. You have heard me say before when you shovel out God shovels back and God has a bigger shovel.

9. The gift of gratitude. A most powerful tool is a thank you note. I bet you can think of one right now that you remember receiving. To give gratitude is to receive it because to receive it you must first give it.

10. The gift of a day. Enjoying life a day at a time is something I have worked on over the years. Yesterday is over and tommorow is not here yet so make the most of today.

11. The gift of loving. I guarentee you life will be meaningless if you don't have someone other than yourself to love.

12. The gift of dreams. Dreams create a vision. Vision creates goals. Goals create an action plan and an action plan makes things happen.

I haven't forgotten "our ultimate gift" we are celebrating this season. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior and give each other gifts think about the things we can give other than just wrapped presents.