Who hasn’t done it? Who hasn’t shaken a Christmas present? I did more than that when I was a girl.
It was the Christmas when I was nine years old. I noticed an odd shaped present under my grandparents’ Christmas tree. Most presents are square or rectangular shaped. The shape of this gift reminded me of a pyramid that had the top part of it cut off. It had a wide base with sloping sides that lead to a flat top.
With my curiosity peaked, I looked at the name tag. It was for me, from my Mamaw Gridle/Myrtle. I squealed with delight. What wonderous odd-shaped gift awaited me?
Of course, every time I went to their house, I had to stare at it. I even tried to shake it, but Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle stopped me. I begged her to tell me what she had gotten me. She laughed and told me I had to wait until Christmas Eve, which was two l-o-n-g weeks away.
My little creative mind shifted into overdrive. I imagined things that probably didn’t even exist at that time. Then I made my fateful decision. To give my mind some rest, I was going to have to peek under the wrapping paper.
I waited until my Mamaw Jo and Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle were busy cooking in the kitchen. Then I tiptoed into the living room. Using a pencil, I gently lifted the end of the side of the wrapping paper. I saw a coloring book with a huge box of crayons lying on top of it.
I was so disappointed.
Not at my Christmas present. I loved to color and Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle knew that. I was disappointed with myself for ruining my own surprise. In essence, I had popped my own balloon.
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
In other words, if you don’t have any self-control, you are headed for ruin. Now, my peeking at a Christmas present didn’t cause me ruin, but it brought about disappointment in myself. I felt bad about it the rest of the Christmas season.
But I did learn an important lesson from my present peeking. When I wrap Christmas presents now, I make sure there’s no way anybody can peek to see what’s inside. First, I wrap the presents. Second, I place them into a big box and wrap it. Also, I use lots of tape. I’m talking I tape down every piece that has a chance to be lifted up like I had done years ago.
Yep, no present peeking at my house.