Christmas time is approaching and my mind has turned to gift giving. When I was a kid I expected Christmas presents. I knew from an early age that my dad and mom were the only Santa in our home. Mom would tell me to make a list of things I might like for Christmas and she would see what she could get. I wasn't shy about making that list either. When mom said to make a list, I made a list. I eagerly awaited Christmas morning to find out what I had gotten. One thing I never did as a child was consider how my parents were going to pay for the things they bought me. I just considered it there job because I was their child. It was only later that I realized some of the sacrifices they made to show me that they loved me.
Now that we are grown, it is easy to forget that someone else once bought the gifts. We rightfully take our place in the adult world and try to be productive members of society. Lists of anticipated Christmas gifts turn into long lists of work and family responsibilities and bills to be paid. We do not expect anyone to ask us for a list of what we want. With such responsibilities on our shoulders it is easy to forget that we do have a Heavenly Father who cares for our needs. The Bible says that our Heavenly Father is better than earthly parents. If earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more does our Heavenly Father give good gifts to his children? (Matthew 7:11).
As I contemplated this topic I had the following thought: my faith in God is not abstract. It is not just a good idea but a reality. My Heavenly Father loves me and wants to take care of me. Just as my parents would tell me to make a list, I can give God my lists of responsibilities. When the demands of life get overwhelming, I can give them to God and ask him to help. He will have ideas that I would never have thought of. He will come up with answers that I couldn't have foreseen. He cares about me and knows how to take care of my needs.
I believe he even cares about my wants. I recently told a relative this: if it concerns me, it concerns my God. I can pray about anything and God will not be offended. I believe He is happy that I trust him enough to give him my lists. My wife and I recently made such a list. We were talking about buying a house and the things we would like to have in it. She suggested that we make a list and then give it to God so we did. In his timing, I expect God to give us the house we have asked for. We did not make an extravagant list but a practical one that will meet our needs and I believe God to honor it. It may seem silly to some, but I believe God will honor it. I have seen him honor such requests before. My faith in God is absolutely dependent upon his love for me and not my goodness. I am confident that I can go to him as a child to his father. I will not be shy in my request because I am a king's kid.
Sincerely,
Sullivan Jones
Now that we are grown, it is easy to forget that someone else once bought the gifts. We rightfully take our place in the adult world and try to be productive members of society. Lists of anticipated Christmas gifts turn into long lists of work and family responsibilities and bills to be paid. We do not expect anyone to ask us for a list of what we want. With such responsibilities on our shoulders it is easy to forget that we do have a Heavenly Father who cares for our needs. The Bible says that our Heavenly Father is better than earthly parents. If earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more does our Heavenly Father give good gifts to his children? (Matthew 7:11).
As I contemplated this topic I had the following thought: my faith in God is not abstract. It is not just a good idea but a reality. My Heavenly Father loves me and wants to take care of me. Just as my parents would tell me to make a list, I can give God my lists of responsibilities. When the demands of life get overwhelming, I can give them to God and ask him to help. He will have ideas that I would never have thought of. He will come up with answers that I couldn't have foreseen. He cares about me and knows how to take care of my needs.
I believe he even cares about my wants. I recently told a relative this: if it concerns me, it concerns my God. I can pray about anything and God will not be offended. I believe He is happy that I trust him enough to give him my lists. My wife and I recently made such a list. We were talking about buying a house and the things we would like to have in it. She suggested that we make a list and then give it to God so we did. In his timing, I expect God to give us the house we have asked for. We did not make an extravagant list but a practical one that will meet our needs and I believe God to honor it. It may seem silly to some, but I believe God will honor it. I have seen him honor such requests before. My faith in God is absolutely dependent upon his love for me and not my goodness. I am confident that I can go to him as a child to his father. I will not be shy in my request because I am a king's kid.
Sincerely,
Sullivan Jones
No comments:
Post a Comment