“What do I buy for the man who has everything?”

That was apparently a question my wife asked of one of our daughters when she was considering what to buy me for Christmas.

Now, I hasten to set the record straight! I don’t have everything. However, I do have everything I need! For I live a simple life and my needs are simple.

I have life and am surrounded by people I love and who love me. I live life with purpose, enjoy good health – physical, mental, emotional, have healthy relationships, work I love with payment that meets my basic needs, and a passion for doing the things I love. God’s creation is all around me and I revel in nature.

Above all, God is in my life – indeed, is the reason for it. God loves me unconditionally and blesses me abundantly. I live a life of happiness, joy and gratitude.

In truth, it wasn’t always so. There was a time I was motivated by the pursuit of the material, with my heart set on living the ‘high life’.  I needed to undergo a radical transformation, a painful stripping away of my old false self. The Holy Spirt, the Presence that disturbs, pulled no punches to uncover my true self, which was already there, buried beneath the superficial, unnecessary “garbage” I allowed into my life.

I had to relearn how to live life, as I had done as a child, in the ever-present now. Another word for present is ‘gift’, and to live in the present moment is a gift, from God.

Theologian and mystic, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, said, “God requires that we should love him eternally with our whole hearts.” It is that simple. Why do we overthink it?

“We love because God first loved us” [1 John 4:19]. We are extravagantly and unconditionally loved by a beautiful God. God does not hold our sins against us. God has forgiven and forgotten them! We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb – our sins have been washed away by the blood Jesus shed. We are delivered from darkness. We have been set free. Divine love and forgiveness are always without conditions. They are simply given, no strings attached. That is why it is called grace.

If God can forget my sins, I can too. I can forget my sins and concentrate on who I am. God has called me by name to follow his will in the ordinariness, the simplicity of my daily life.

“God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” [1 John 4:16]. God is Love, and God is in us. Love is the overflow of goodness and is diffusive of itself, says St Thomas Aquinas. God’s love flows into us and flows from us, outwards to others. Jesus asks that we love one another as he loves us. We know that God lives within us.

“God is love. As he is, so are we...”  God is love and as God is so are we. We are love.

The love we crave is already in our hearts; the love we know we should have for others is also already there. We are love and we can radiate that love to others. We can see God’s face in every face. Because I am love, I can choose to show love. Acknowledge the great love God has for us by sharing it with each person whose path crosses ours.

The wise Apostle Paul assures us: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:19]. Jesus taught: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” [Matthew 6:8] and “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,^* and all these things will be given you besides” [Matthew 6:33].

Whenever my loved ones ask me what I would like for my birthday, or Christmas, I respond, “Nothing, thank you. Your presence is all I need.”

Now, isn’t that exactly what Jesus wants from us – simply our presence? If it’s good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me!

Life is a journey, that takes us many places and teaches us many things. The lessons we learn on the journey make us who we are.

Cherish the simplicity of life.

Ooh! What did my wife get me for Christmas?

A positive affirmation mug, covered in inspirational messages such as: Choose love today, get creative, remain thoughtful, expect nothing appreciate everything, be happy be bright be you, shine bright, and life is an adventure, among several others wonderful quotes.

As I drink my morning mug of tea, on the bottom inside of the mug are the words, ‘Feel Good Today’. I always do – God knows my needs.

Have a golden day and treasure life!