I happened to wake up again before 2am. Note to self: do not fall asleep with remote in bed. But waking up at this time has allowed me to check on my friend who’s traveling, to make sure she’s ok.
As I tried to fall back asleep, I started thinking of this past week – Christmas week.
I had already picked up all the gifts I would give my daughter. We’d both agreed that she wouldn’t be getting a big gift, because she had managed to con me out of a very expensive item early November, and not even having to wait for Christmas.
As the week approached, she started telling me she wanted a certain item. I didn’t think she needed them and told her I wouldn’t be buying it. I also didn’t think her saving could support the cost of this item. She insisted that she would like them. I insisted that I wouldn’t be the one getting them for her.
As we attended a church function, my church sister asked her what she wanted for Christmas. I shared the new desire and told her I wouldn’t be getting them. My church sister said there was a possibility that she could get them, but they wouldn’t be new – that would have been good enough and satisfactory for my daughter. She would still have this desired item.
The next day, her big brother checked in with me, asking if there’s anything she’d like. I told him honestly, she really had everything she needed. He started asking if there was something she had, and I told him no. Then, he asked about the very item that my daughter was now asking about. I admitted that’s the one thing she actually wanted. He asked for her favorite color and shipping details.
Two days later, and the day before Christmas, he told me to look out for two packages. At that point, I had no idea what would be in either of them – but, the very thought he took meant the world to me.
On Christmas morning as she opened these gifts last, he had painstakingly gotten her the gift that she wanted, but not just that, he’d also gotten another gift she would need for the original gift – in her favorite color.
While the gifts were nice and thoughtful, it provided a much bigger reminder to me. My daughter’s big brother loves her and he went out of his way to give her gifts he knew she would like. But, in those moments, I was reminded of a Heavenly Father who is so focused on the details of the desires of our hearts, and who goes above and beyond to give good gifts.
James 1:17 states: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Even now as I read this verse, it provides comfort for other areas of my life. God gives perfect gifts, and… He does not change.
Friends, I hope this week you were also able to receive good and perfect gifts for what your heart desires.
Dear Heavenly Father, it still amazes me that you care so much about the details. Even when I wouldn’t think of asking for some gifts, you provide it in a way that blows my mind. Would you continue to draw us close to you, whether we receive the gifts or not?