There's a beautiful gift inside this package.
It's wrapped for protection,
Tied for security.
Stamped: "Fragile!"
"Handle with Care!"

It's easy to loosen the strings,
To let anyone tear away
the wrapping,
To give the gift without commitment—
Offer it to the highest bidder,
Or hand it out as the prize
for a game.

There's a gift wrapped inside this brown paper.
It's for keeps—
not to be exchanged.
No deposit. Non-returnable.
It's a surprise,
A happy treat to be opened by the person
To whom it's addressed,
On the date marked "Forever."

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Campus Life.

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