Accepting What You Ask For

Due to a recent birthday, I'm familiar with the 'what would you like for a present' question.
I keep a wish list on my fridge door. This amuses me since no one in my family EVER refers to it. Ever. One year I mentioned this to Don; he grinned at me, saying, "That would be too easy."
So I've gotten used to the idea of not receiving what I specifically want for any holiday gift-giving occasion. I'm always delighted with whatever I'm given since the gift implies I'm loved. But it's usually not on my fridge-door list.
This concept spills over into my prayer life. I've always been willing to pray specifically for what I think I need or want. Yet it's usually easy to accept what God decides is best for me. It implies I'm loved. In fact, I tend to enjoy His creativity in how He responds to what I think I need.
Today is an exception.
I've been praying my heart out for something that's really important to me. But the answer (the gift) caught me unawares. I don't know if I'm disappointed (I don't think so) or just ...surprised.
I must admit to feeling let down to some degree. Surely God didn't read my list! I had it posted there in black and white, impossible to miss.
The gift was not something I felt I wanted or needed. I know that ultimately I'll understand it was even better than what I originally desired. But for now, I have to deal with feeling somewhat let down.
Prayer is like telling someone that you'll like whatever they give you no matter what it is. You assume you'll love the contents of that shiny package (or in Ryan's case, usually a hastily tied Deals bag). But what to do when you open the box and just don't like the gift at all?
We remind ourselves we love the Giver even if we don't like the gift. I can always use more potholders. I don't mind home-made coupon books. I even enjoy mix tapes of songs I can't understand.
This gift/prayer-answer is not fully unwrapped; there is more to be discovered in the corners of the box. For now, however, I will accept the gift that was chosen with me specifically in mind. Even if it just doesn't seem to fit me very well.