The Gift of the Holy Spirit

My sister-in-law, Robin, gives great gifts. For Christmas, tucked into the package of goodies was this:



It's a squishy, pink, bundle of tactile delight. And when squeezed or shaken, it lights up with flashing red and blue lights! I played with it for a LONG time. (Much longer than is proper for a 41 year old living outside the confines of a padded room.) Finally at the end of the night, I put it on the mantle right next to the Nativity set. Troy saw it's placement and gave me a weird eyebrow-lifted look. I picked up the toy, shook it to make it glimmer, laid it back on the shelf and said, "It's the Holy Spirit."

The Christmas decorations, along with the nativity set, have all been packed away until next year. The "Holy Spirit" ball found a permanent home in my office. Every moment I'm in my office, I feel drawn to this toy. I squeeze it, pass it back and forth from right to left hands, and enjoy the sensory experience as I have my morning laptop routine. It's calming.

I still call it the Holy Spirit Ball. I don't mean this with any irreverence. In fact, it's made me think a lot about the gift of the Holy Spirit and what He means to me. I've always been intrigued with this Spirit of God living inside me since I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I often take God's Spirit for granted and go about my daily life. But recently, I have been very aware of His presence.

December 30, 2010, Troy and I attended the memorial service of Robb Williford. Robb was the husband of my friend, Tricia. Robb was only 35 years old when he died tragically, two days before Christmas. But in that short 35 years, the Holy Spirit shined in his life. His memorial service was a testament to his character as a devoted father, loving husband, loyal employee, honorable son, and most of all, an amazing Christian man. As his family, friends, and young widow spoke about him, the Holy Spirit draped both Troy and me in a blanket of comfort and inspiration. As the service ended, the Spirit used this mountain-top opportunity to begin a new work in me.

Instead of eager anticipation for the new year, I tend to dread the idea of making resolutions and failing to follow through. This year, I am praying to reacquaint myself with and learn to display this supernatural Spirit within me. And with His influence, there is no failure, only huge learning curves.

I pray that I never take this gift God has given me for granted. I pray that I always rely on this indwelling Spirit to guide me through the day to day obstacles of this sinful world. And I pray that when the pressures of life squeeze and shake me that I allow the Spirit to glimmer and shine through.