Good Gifts...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 11:29AM Greetings, Dear Friends!
I'm writing this post from sunny Florida (on my husband's computer). Unfortunately I do not have access to my pictures so this post will be picture-less. So sorry.
For those of you visiting this blog for the first time, welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Every month I give away a $10.00 gift card from Starbucks to someone who posts on my blog. So share a comment, a story, or an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!
Now on to my topic:
A couple of weeks ago we were in Nashville to move our son home from college. We were there just one week after the terrible flood. I peaded with my husband to pack my bike for the trip just in case I'd be able to get out on the trails with my son. After all, the bike trails are one of my happy places, and riding with my son makes it a happier place still.
Jake and I had no idea what shape the trails would be in but the sunny day beckoned us to mount our bikes and set out on an adventure. We were surprised to find the trails caked with mud from being under water only one week prior. Holding on to our handle bars with a better grip, we took on the caked and bumpy trails. At one point I looked up at the trees to see a mud line where the water had been - over our heads. Hard to believe.
Jake and I rode hard and fast until our lungs screamed for air (my favorite kind of bike ride). We stopped at the end of the trail and talked about life, and health, and prayer. Then we turned around and rode just as hard back to his house. It was a total blast.
It used to be, Jake rode his bike every once in a great while. But more recently, he's been riding almost daily; he rides long distances at a good pace on a pretty cheap bike. This is such a healthy hobby, I so want to help him in any way I can. Lately I've been thinking about putting a gift package together that includes a new bike helment, bike jersey, water bottle, and some carb treats. I smiled just thinking about it. And just as quickly the thought crossed my mind: if I, as human as I am, relish the thought of giving good gifts to my kids, how much more does God treasure the thought of giving great gifts to His children?
He is always good. He knows us so very well. He is never late. He knows what we need and even what we desire.
During my busy speaking season, I longed for a vacation, but those months were set aside for work, and work we did. And yet, what fruitful times they were! Now that I've completed my season, I can really rest. And my rest is especially sweet because I can look back over the past several months and see how God forged a reslliance in me to keep on going when I wanted to quit. He taught me obedience through some of the things I suffered. And His grace sustained me when I was painfully aware of my weakness. His gifts to me in those seasons were grace, strength, praying friends, changed lives, and fresh mercies. Oh, amidst the labors of love, I wanted an iced tea by the poolside, but what He gave me far surpassed my immediate desire. And now, when I sit by the poolside with an iced tea, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for rest, but even more so for God's faithful knowledge of what I needed and when I needed it.
He is always good.
What about you? What kind of season are you in right now? Do you know Him enough to trust Him? I pray you do. He loves to give great gifts to His kids. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. He is your stronghold of protection, your deliverer in the storm, your defender in conflict, and your provider in times of need. He will lead you beside still waters when that moment of rest will strengthen you most.
Right here, right now, God is dreaming of ways to be good to you; to take care of you; and to strengthen you for His beautiful purpose for your life. He may ask you to run when your legs are screaming for rest; He may call you to rest when you're sure you've got the steam to run. He may ask you to wait when you're sick and tired of waiting. But know this, my friend: He is so infinitely good that He will never withhold something that is perfectly good for you. He won't delay His good gifts one minute longer than is necessary. So if God isn't giving you what you think you need, look past your need and try to see His heart, because He's always good and His heart is set upon you.
Open your hand and trust His heart. In due time you will see His goodness unfold before your very eyes. And as you behold the wisdom behind His ways, you'll understand in a fresh new way, just how rich you are as an heir of God.
Live and function from a place of knowing who you are and whose you are. You are the object of God's affection and you are a joint heir with Christ (See Romans 8:17).
~Until next week.
Reader Comments (15)
Thanks for the reminder to trust His heart. I do, but the waiting is still hard.
To know that God adores us EVEN MORE makes you wonder why we dare stray away from the exacting wisdom of His Word; and makes you wonder why we choose to "line up life" apart from His direction.
Megan and Joy, for whatever my prayers can do, know I am praying for God to speed things along as much as possible!!! Too bad we can't post pictures on here...I'd love to see your "chosen ones!"
It sounds like your answer is just around the bend! I'm so happy for you! Keep us posted.Bless you, sweet friend!
What a precious and BIG heart you have! It'll be exciting to see how the journey unfolds for you and what kinds of doors God opens up for you. May God overwhelm you with His goodness!Blessings to you!
So honored you stopped by. Thanks for the note. Kevin and I so appreciate your presence in our lives! Bless you!
I LOVE your post and my heart was especially warmed when I read of your encouragement to Joy and Megan. I LOVE the community we enjoy as Believers. May God continue to open doors for you to be a blessing and encouragement to others. You have a gift!
I'm so thankful that you and I have been able to walk through the years together. You are such a dear, dear friend with such a generous heart. And God made you that way. Even so, it's a good lesson for us both to learn: Let go and let God! Love you.
Bless you, bless you. I do know that the Lord is gentle with those who are with little ones. May you sense in very tangible ways God's overwhelming love and peace. You are His beloved and He is with you every step of the way. Blessings to you and your precious little one.