Pioneer Christian Monthly - October, 1997

Editorial Page

How do you deal with unexpected gifts?

How do you deal with unexpected gifts? Some people experience awkwardness, perhaps even embarrasment, when they receive even small tokens and compliments from anyone outside of their immediate family or circle of close friends; they react badly to gifts from strangers. They neither understand the gift nor the reason for it. On accepting such a gift, some people experience a sense of guilt-a need to respond with a gift in kind.

In this issue of The Pioneer, you will discover people who have received unexpected gifts. They deal with them by using these gifts to the fullest.

Rev. John Moerman has a gift for communicating and for speaking his mind in a way that is refreshingly blunt. In our 'Letters to the Editor,' he uses this gift to say that we should be careful, that we should not readily accept everything that is said just because of who is saying it or because we want to believe what we are told. Rumour of the Emperor's new clothes may be false. The Emperor may be naked. Rev. Moerman also has a gift for seeing things clearly.

La Donna and Dan De Vries use their unique gifts to help make a difference in the lives of others in the Philippines. They teach people to be self sufficient and to share what they have learned with others so that they too can be self sufficient.

Rev. John Kapteyn, who has recently taken on the challenges of his role as president of the Canadian Synod, uses his gift of computer skills to maintain a Reformed Church in Canada web site.

Elizabeth Webster has the gift of music, as do the other members of 'Rhema." Elizabeth provides us with the story of the beginning of this musical group and how God is using Rhema to make a difference in the lives of the participants and others.

Ken Turner and Robert Anes turn their attention to education and express diverse views on Christian Schools and the responsibilities of Christian parents specific to the education of their children. Mr.

Turner is a Christian teacher in a public school system.

Trish Curry and Bill Zwiep have a gift for gathering information from the churches in their areas and keeping readers of The Pioneer up to date on what is happening there. Add to these the many people who send in announcements of births, baptisms, birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, new members, etc. This too is a gift well used.

How do yo deal with unexpected gifts? A student once felt awkward about receiving a compliment from a teacher and wanted to return the compliment. Before he had the chance, the teacher stopped him with an instruction: Just say thank you.

God's gifts are not always expected. We deal with them best by using them well for His service. Let us receive God's unexpected gifts in the spirit of thanksgiving.

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