If you are familiar with Asian culture, you may know that in some countries the giving of gifts is an important part of business and social etiquette. When I travelled regularly to China, I never went without taking something to give my hosts and all-important interpreters. Likewise I never returned empty handed.
Earlier this summer a colleague was out in China and met people I had known quite well up until my last work trip just before the Covid pandemic. Two colleagues in particular were aware of my impending retirement and sent back a typical Chinese teacup of the sort is have used so many times to drink the various green teas on offer.
A small but emotionally valuable gift that says more than words can convey about bonds forged between people whose culture is vastly different, and who have to work hard to communicate in words. I am unlikely to meet those lovely people again but I will never forget them and their families, nor the way they always looked after me as a visitor to their country. I am humbled.
Gifts are precious because of the message they give and the statement they make about the value of one person to another; even in a professional relationship these things are important.
God has given us life, given us the freedom to use and abuse life as we see fit and then crowned it with his own sacrificial death to put right what our bad choices make wrong.
A Prayer
God of every good and perfect gift, help me to understand that everything you give is because of the relationship you want with me. Forgive me when I struggle to understand you clearly and stop talking to you for days at a time. Help me come to my sense and remember you, never to forget again, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.