Avocados


“It’s an avocado…thanks!” said the little guy with all smiles.

This video went viral and appeared on the Today show. It was taken by a father who was curious if his toddler had the manners to be gracious after receiving a “terrible” birthday present.

Avocado BoyThe gift that this small child unwrapped was an avocado.

I watched the video probably six times in a row.

What struck me weren’t the manners of this child but was his excitement for the gift, no matter what it was. He recognized it, smiled and seemed genuinely grateful in response to receiving an avocado for a birthday gift. It’s almost as if he didn’t know any better; he didn’t know that there was something different that could have been inside the wrapping paper – something he wanted more and something for which he was hoping. However, because he had no expectations of what he would find, disappointment was not possible.

Our lives are built on hopes and dreams and some level of expectation. When we forget that the ultimate giver of gifts – the Lord God Almighty – has hand-picked what He has for us, we have reason to doubt. We think we know what would be better and hope for something different, left wondering why not this or why not that. We don’t even bother to taste the avocado, let alone give thanks for it.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.”

James 1:16-18

What determines our response and welcome to the gifts that God Almighty chooses to bestow in our lives reflects our perspective of the gift giver Himself. When we chose a position of trust and worship, regardless of what comes our way, we can be grateful for the larger story that He is writing, even if it makes no sense to us at all.

Discussion Questions:

  • What “gifts” has God given you that quickly and easily inspire gratitude and praise?
  • What “gifts” are harder to see and tend to get lost in what you wish was instead of what was?
  • How could an attitude of thanks change your heart and perspective toward what God is giving you?