Good Gifts

​GIVING GOOD GIFTS

Every holiday I struggle with the thought of giving good gifts. My favorite Christmas story is “The Little Drummer Boy”. I can identify with his predicament of having nothing to give.  I love Christmas: the lights, music, cooking, and festivities of the holidays, but the idea of purchasing gifts, the challenge of finances for the gifts, and feeling like I had nothing good to give has always been an emotional heartache.

Like any good mom, I want to give GOOD GIFTS to my kids. I long to give them something they will remember and say “that was the best present ever”.  But, I have yet to find that eternal present; one that won’t become obsolete, they won’t outgrow, or break. My children are grown now, and I have failed to give them that present that will stand for all of time.

However, I find tremendous hope in the Word of God about giving gifts. Peter and John, like me, had nothing to give a lame beggar man. They informed him they had neither silver nor gold; however, they had something far better, something eternal: the revelation of the Healer.  God even tells us that He is a GOOD FATHER who loves to lavish His children with the gift of Himself.

So as I am confronted with Christmas ads, holiday gimmicks, and a desire to give good gifts to my children and others, I think about the greatest treasures I have given them over the years, things that will not collect dust or decay over time. These treasures will be just as priceless when they pass them on to their children. These are gifts that we should seek to give to our sons and daughters.  I have given my children an inheritance that money cannot buy.

• Steadfast Love:  I did not say perfect love, but they know a love that is always there, a love that says “I’m sorry” and a love that forgives when they miss the mark. They know a love that is sure.
• The knowledge that with God all things are possible:  over and over they have witnessed and participated in a journey, activities, a life that has only been made possible by God
• Understanding of who He is as the Faithful One:  Our children have God sized opportunities for God to display the goodness of His name. He loves to show Himself strong for them and we can make a place in our homes for Him to meet with our children
• A deep root system that God is for them: I have watched each of my children struggle through this and own it for themselves. As mothers we plant, water, and make sure the soil is good, but God Himself is responsible for taking the roots down deep.
• That they are sons and daughters of the Most High God: to me this knowledge if the greatest gift of all, it is not something I gave them, only the Holy Spirit can give us that gift, however, I was able to show them, to direct them to the Father because I made choices to learn who the Father is in my life.

​I could not give my children any of the above without knowing it for myself. We cannot give what we don’t have.  Because I longed for my children to have more than I had, because I wanted to see them soar, I had to choose to find my way to the One who says we will ‘mount with wings like eagles’, and soar myself.
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What will you give to your children this holiday season?