"So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matt., ch. 7, v. 11*).
Three-year-old Kate spent an entire day with me last week and was very pleased with the strawberries I gave her. When I picked her up again, the first thing she said was:
- Do you have strawberries?
I told her I didn't have any, and I saw her eyes dim and her smile fade. I quickly added:
- But I do have oranges and bananas.
Kate's eyes lit up and she exclaimed excitedly:
- I love them too!
Kate enjoyed the oranges and bananas just as much as she had enjoyed the strawberries.
This sweet incident with Kate makes me reflect on our reactions towards God. We often ask for blessings and hope to receive the same gifts we've been given before. However, the Lord may have something different prepared for us. Do we react positively to God's good gifts or do we want something else?
When we pray, we ought to be open to the gifts that the Lord has for us at this moment. James tells us: "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, ch. 1, v. 17*). God has a variety of blessings to offer us, and they might differ from what we've last received. We can anticipate each one with the excitement and joy of a child.
Link to the original article: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2024-01-24
* The biblical quotes are from Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013