What do you think of the practice of returning gifts? I’m not talking about not accepting them, but about taking them to the store where they were bought and getting something else. Something you really like. I think this practice should be generally avoided. We ought to, at least, teach our children to be grateful for whatever gifts they receive at Christmas or a birthday (anytime, for that matter). Now as we get older and accumulate more stuff, it gets more difficult to find something that is a “good” gift for someone; and because we are human and don’t know everything or have infinite resources, we sometimes get something that could appropriately be returned. That must be some of the impetus behind the huge gift card frenzy. Let them get what they want.
There is a distinct problem with a Christian who tries to return or not accept God’s gifts. We SAY that we understand that God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we think He should, but we often act otherwise. We will pray for something for a long time; then God answers our prayer and even gives us what we’ve asked for (though perhaps in a form we didn’t initially expect); but we continue to pray as if we’ve not gotten the gift God gave us. It’s as if we say, “No God, I don’t like that gift. Give me a different one.” We must learn to recognize God’s gifts in our lives and accept them as his will for our lives. He does have infinite knowledge and unlimited resources, and He knows what we need best and can supply it however He would like.
***Originally posted January of 2006
You Think Too Much! 
I disagree with returning concept, Every Birthday and Christmas, my step MIL buys Rachel a hooker outfit. I have expressed several times not to do that, what to buy, what is acceptable and every time her gifts are something a harlot would wear. She does this because her other grandchildren dress like this, and she doesn’t believe me in the size I give her. Rachel is tall for her age.
I could just allow her to wear it to school and see what happens if you like. I think you would actually blush with what has been given to her.
I think instead, I will teach her to graciously accept the gift, say thank you, with the idea going into recieving the present if this isn’t modest, I will return it for something modest, but I will appreciate the thought nonetheless.
I agree with your point. Which is why I said that this should be GENERALLY avoided. Of course, there will always be times when a generalization is not true. It does not negate the point of my rambling.
God does know our size, etc., and when He gives us something, we should not continue to ask for it.
I know you’re talking about the gift of my comments, but it’s OK, you didn’t have to say. I appreciated this one and will remember it. I can’t figure out why I can’t get your blog address on the links of mine, but I tried.
The link on your blog has been changed. You tried and succeeded, even though you didn’t know it.