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 1:17

I love giving gifts as much as receiving gifts.  It is my love language.  When our children were at home, and now including the grandchildren, shopping for their birthdays and Christmas is a big deal.   I shop around and search for the best gift for them or the exact gift they have requested (at the best price of course.)  I don’t give our children and grandchildren good gifts just to spoil them.  We give gifts because we love them.

When our children were growing up, there were times that we, as parents, gave to our children and made difficult decisions because we knew what was best for them.  For example, giving them vegetables over junk food didn’t always please them but it was what was good for them.  Or, not allowing them to go to certain places because it would not be in their best interest.  When either of these scenarios happened, our children’s interpretation of “good” was not the same as ours.

In the first chapter of James, he writes to us regarding trials and temptations, saying “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  Talk of trials and perseverance does not seem like good gifts to me.  My idea of a good gift from our heavenly Father would be for Him to dispatch a host of angels to fight through the trials for me and then I could reap the benefits and rewards on the other side!

When our children didn’t like the answers we gave them, they sometimes would question our love for them.  Sometimes we heard words, “that’s not fair!”  “If you loved me you would let me eat what I want or go to the party like everyone else.”  They did not understand that part of loving and caring for them required us to do what was best.

And, so it is.  We tend to be just like our children when it comes to our perception of “good.” When God allows trials of sickness, financial difficulties, pain and disappointment, we question our Heavenly Father’s love for us.  We wonder why He would permit it.  We tend to see it as a punishment versus an opportunity to grow.  If left to us, we would certainly choose the easier path rather than facing trials that would build our character and mature us in our faith. 

The truth is our Father does love us.  As a Christian, everything that comes our way has to pass through the Father’s hand (John 10: 27-29) He has a great plan for our life.  More importantly, He knows what needs to transpire at the exact time and place, and the people that need to come into our life for us to become what He has called us to be.  

Our children are grown and have children of their own.  Now they understand the good gifts of yes and no.  We are children of an Almighty God who loves us and desires to give good gifts that will include trials of many kinds.  Persevere.  Rest in His strong hands and know that you can make it!