Free Gifts

The other day a relative offered my husband a brand new mattress that, due to unexpected circumstances, he wouldn't be able to use. My husband was very ecstatic because our current mattress definitely needed replacing. However, when the mattress was delivered to our home, it had an overwhelming smell of cigarettes. The relative wasn't a smoker, but the people he had been staying with were, so hence the powerful odor.

Undaunted, we kept the mattress outside to air. We also purchased a bottle of odor neutralizer and diligently covered it with spray. The next day, with the smell greatly diminished, we removed our old mattress and put down the new one. We even purchased new sheets to celebrate our free gift.

But when we went to bed that night, I detected the unmistakable odor once again. By the next morning, not only did the bed smell, but also our hair, clothes, sheets, blankets and comforter. This would never do. The new mattress has since been removed, our old mattress is back in its position, and we will from now on, be more careful about the gifts we accept.

Free gifts aren't always what we expect them to be. Some come with strings attached. Others come with disappointing outcomes.

There is one gift, though, that is free to the taker. There are no strings attached; no phony outcomes. That gift is the free gift of eternal life for all those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. He can take you, full of the stench of this world, and make you fresh and clean as if you were brand new. He does this because He created us and He loves us.

Tired of free gifts failing you? Turn to Jesus. His gift will never fail, will always keep its value, and is totally free. What more could you want?