My New Toy

I've been taking guitar lessons for about 2 months. But, I've been playing guitar on this old, crappy guitar. The action is too big. The strings don't stay in tune. And it's just simply too big for me. But, it has worked thus far. So, I've been looking for a new guitar... or a like new guitar. I've scoured craigslist, ebay, asked around and couldn't find anything in my price range. Since I am taking an overseas trip in December, spending a few hundred more dollars on something I don't "need" seemed silly.

So, I'll wait.

In a brief passing conversation, I mentioned this to a person I know. They had a guitar and I offered to buy it (depending on the price) and take it off their hands. The hadn't played it since college and it was just an oversized door stop at this point. They brought it for me to check out and the instant I opened the case, I said to myself, " can't afford this."

It was shiny and in perfect condition. A couple of minor scratches on the back from use. A locking case, a tuner, an extra set of strings, a pack of picks, and a strap were in the case, too. "Now, I really can't afford this." I picked it up. Played one chord and fell in love... sort of. Remember, I can't afford this.

I try hard to not get too attached to the things I know I can't have.

So, because this person had taken the time out of their day and their busy schedule to lug this guitar to me, I asked... "How much do you want for it."

"Nothing." was their response. Nothing? No, really? Haha, not funny. That guitar is worth something.. a lot of somethings... not nothing. "No, really. Nothing. You can have it."

This is when I realized that I don't handle free gifts well. For my entire life, gifts have had strings attached. My dad always says when he buys us things that we need to give him another grandchild because he bought that for us. Really?

I tried to hide my joy, well, not really. I sort of jumped up and down. Astonished. Astonished that this person would give away a guitar. They don't need it, but I wanted it, so they gave it to me. To bless me. Simply no other reason than they wanted to do it.

My question now: "How do I receive this?" ... Just take it and say thank you. And then use it.

I have been pondering this whole series of events. This is where I've gotten: I don't receive free gifts well. I love giving gifts, but I don't really know how to receive them. My whole life the gifts I have received have had strings attached.

Then I got to thinking about God's love. He is so like this. His love is free. Unmerited. Unearned. And we do not deserve it. But He gives it. And He gives it in abundance. We just need to take it, say thank you, and then use it. We get the opportunity to take His love and then use His love.

I'll get it one day.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10