Day 29 The Empty Wrapping Paper

 DAY 29 — THE EMPTY WRAPPING PAPER

After a charity event,
volunteers gathered piles of wrapping paper
from donated gifts.

One volunteer looked around and said,
“It’s funny…
the paper is the only part people saw—
but it’s the only part that doesn’t matter.”

Another replied,
“Yes.
The wrapping is forgotten.
The gift remains.”

Many people live their spiritual life
focused on the wrapping:
appearing holy,
looking generous,
acting religious,
curating goodness for others to see.

But God looks past the wrapping
into the substance of your heart.

Lent invites you to let go of the performance
and return to authenticity.

Your acts of kindness
don’t need an audience.
Your prayer
doesn’t need applause.
Your repentance
doesn’t need publicity.

The wrapping is temporary.
The gift is eternal.