That Perfect Gift

I love finding that special something that you know will bring joy (and hopefully some happy tears) to someone as they open their gift on Christmas morning.

I have a couple of goodies wrapped under the tree that I can't wait for my precious ones to open.

But all those gifts are material things that will likely be on a thrift store shelf with a clearance sticker someday.

It's not the stuff that matters - it's the love within the stuff that is the true gift.

Knowing someone well and being in tune with their wants and needs is a beautiful expression of our love for them.

And when we find that special something - oh man - it's so fun to watch their eyes light up as they open their gift!

But the best presents we can give pale compared to the gifts God offers us.

God knows exactly what we need and when we need it, often before we do.

God's best gift was to offer us the redeeming love that is found in Jesus.

God knew we would need a Savior, a Redeemer, a Friend. He knew we would need someone to crawl down into the pit we found ourselves in and rescue us.

The gift of Jesus is eternal and keeps unveiling itself to us in different ways as our needs change.

The gift can sometimes be a happy one—the answer to our long-held prayers.

It can be the cure we've been praying for, the job we've been needing, the love we've been seeking, or the alignment we've been longing for.

Sometimes, God's gift can be a no to what we've asked and prayed for, often because God knows what we need better than we do.

God's gifts can also be found in the trials and tribulations of life.

God sometimes has to shine the light in the darkness, and as much as we want to turn away, He knows that the best thing for us is to face what we must and go through the storm to get to the other side.

And when we go through, God will be holding us every step of the way.

God is good, and He gives us - His beloved children - what we need when we need it.

Jesus is God's perfect gift that keeps on giving.

What do you need today, beloved?

God will give you what you need and be the ever-present help you are calling for.

Believe and receive.

Oh, what a gift to be the beloved children of God.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.