Giving Good Gifts

Today's verse is so appropriate for this time of year. It's from the book of Matthew and it says if we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him. Which brings me to my point (somewhat). At this time of commercial gift-giving, what are good gifts? I don't mean which brand of razor do I buy my husband or even if I buy him a razor or a new shirt. What are the good gifts I can give my family? Do you see where I'm going with this? I am sure you do.

Yesterday I worked 8 hours and then I took off and drove to my daughter's college and picked up a load of her belongings and turned around and drove back home with her following me in her car full of belongings. I drove 350 miles on partially snow and ice covered roads in the dark. I HATE driving in the dark since the oncoming lights blind me and I fear the deer are running. I also hate driving in snow and ice. BUT this was one of those gifts I gave my daughter. She has been miserable at college for the last 4 months and finally made the decision to move back home and regroup and find a different college closer to home. Now I will admit I am very disappointed. I nearly cried as she told her friends there goodbye and as we drove away from that beautiful campus one last time. I love that campus and that town as much as she once thought she did. We've made a lot of fun memories there, and I hate to see it come to an end. I know that sounds selfish on my part and I'm sorry. I also still firmly believe that is where God wants her and I believe she will one day down the road regret leaving there. I can speak from personal experience. When I went away to college, a year and a half into it, I made decisions outside of the will of God and I have lived with regrets the rest of my life. I know God has done good things in my life in spite of my taking a detour from his route. But I often wonder how much more I'd have been blessed if I had faithfully followed His plan instead of mine.

So where do the good gifts come in? I am giving my daughter the gift of loving acceptance. I accept her decisions and will support her as she chooses a new path to her career. I will drive 350 miles in the wintry night to move her home. I will welcome her home and allow her to regroup. I will be patient with her as she spends over an hour saying her goodbyes to all the friends she claims she never made there, and as she unpacks and settles back into our home. I will show her that I am proud of her for finishing the semester there even though she was so unhappy and for getting good grades during that semester. I will encourage her as she chooses a new college and new classes and moves again and makes new friends again and starts all over again. I will continue to be the wind beneath her wings and know that she is not coming back to the nest to stay, but only to grow a little stronger before she relaunches.

And I know that my Heavenly Father has watched me make so many mistakes and poor choices in my own life and yet He stands there loving me and holding out His arms for me and trying to guide me in the right way He has planned. I know He loves my daughter too and will bless her and work His will in her life no matter how many detours she takes along the way.

At this Christmas season, may you know and accept the Greatest Gift of All, the love of God and the gift of His Son who brought us salvation and grace and pardon. May you accept the good gifts He gives and may you share good gifts with those you love.