December 19, 2013
God - The Giver of Good Gifts
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Our grandchildren are not only a source of great joy in my life but also some of my most capable teachers. Our three-year-old grandson, Justus, recently reminded me of the profound truth that God is the ultimate Gift-Giver.
Justus loves dirt. If he is not truly dirty – he is not truly happy. One of his favorite toys to play with in his beloved dirt is what he calls a “digger.” Justus has quite a collection of diggers. We, along with other family members, his parents and friends, have happily provided this little hunk of joy with an assortment of plastic dump trucks, bulldozers, backhoes and excavators. Justus knows the name of each construction vehicle but prefers to call them “diggers,” so diggers it is.
Our daughter and son-in-law have wisely allocated a section of their backyard where Justus can happily dig and work and play with all of his diggers. He spends hours transferring dirt from one part of his work site to another, creating mounds of dirt while building what he calls “massive” cities and then tearing them down to begin again.
One day, our daughter was enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon in their back yard with Justus and his baby brother, Hudson. Danna was reading and Hudson was contentedly snoozing in his bouncy seat while Justus was happily playing and hard at work with – you guessed it - his diggers. Justus suddenly stopped, sprung to his feet, and thrust both arms in the air as high as he possibly could. With his smiling little face turned toward heaven, Justus shouted at the top of his lungs, “God, thank You for my dirt!” Time stood still for a moment. I am almost certain heaven paused as God smiled and replied, “You are so welcome, Justus.” Satisfied, our grandson went back to his digger and dirt project. And God spoke to my heart.
I tend to forget that God is the ultimate gift-giver. How often do I dismiss His gifts, both great and small, as something to which I am somehow entitled? More often I simply take His gifts for granted. I know better. I just allow my busy schedule to crowd out the wonder of God at work in my life every single day. God used our three-year-old grandson to remind me that God has literally fills every minute of every day with gifts from His hand. Why? God wants me to celebrate life – to live a life saturated with His joy.
In Biblical times – much like today – times of great joy were often accompanied by the giving of gifts.
Matthew 2:10-11 “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.Then they opened their treasures and presented him with giftsof gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
God gave the greatest gift of all – His love wrapped up in His Son, Jesus. God’s love changes everything and everyone it touches. It protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day. God’s love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when the fires of life rain down.
Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT) “Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.”
God’s love is an unconditional love – a love with no strings attached and a gift that breathes life and joy and celebration into every moment of every day. Jesus came, at the request of God, spelling Himself out in a language you and I can understand – a message of love that exists to give.
There is no condemnation with Him, Girlfriend. He adores you just as you are. He wants to spend time with you, laugh with you, dry your tears and fill your heart with new dreams. Today, no matter where you are or where you have been, He stands - just waiting for you. Come to Him. Accept Him. No matter how ugly the sin may be or how great the failure in your life, He loves you. Come to His love. Receive His gift of life and celebrate God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift!
Let’s Pray
Father, I confess that I often fail to recognize the truth that every good gift comes from Your hand. I pray Your Holy Spirit would give me a fresh awareness and a thankful heart for the very life you freely give me each day, and for the gift of eternal life You so freely offer. Help me see Your hand in the smallest details of my world, and teach me to celebrate life each and every day. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me and for Your unfailing love that sustains every step I take. I want to live a life that truly celebrates You!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Set aside one day to be a day of celebration. Grab your journal and keep it with you all day. Count every blessing and every gift – big and small - that comes your way. Here are a few examples to get you started:
- A comfortable bed in which to sleep
- Food for the day
- Clothes to wear – even if they are worn and not the latest style
- A friend who called just to check on you
- The doctor’s report that the cyst was benign
- An unexpected check that covers your rent
You get the idea. At the end of the day, review your list and thank God for each item on it. Remember – every good and perfect gift is from God. And if we belong to Him, everything and everyone that touches our lives today came through His hands – with His permission – for a purpose. So celebrate!
More from the Girlfriends
Tomorrow, your home may be filled with family and friends or you may be celebrating the birth of Jesus alone. Christmas is not a date on a calendar. It is a way of life. No matter where this Christmas finds you, know that you are loved and that God is with you.
Looking for a Bible Study to start the New Year? Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Don’t miss the new study, How to Tame the Tongue, beginning January 20, 2014.
Do you want to revolutionize your prayer life? Check out Chair Time, a new E-Book written by Mary’s husband, Dan. It not only will teach you how to hear from God – it will change your life! And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.
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Girlfriends in God
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Originally published Thursday, 19 December 2013.
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