If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,

how much more shall your Father which is in heaven

give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11

 

         Matthew, the name means gift of God. No one is without sin so all fathers, even those like Ward Cleaver are considered evil. Yet they provide for their children’s needs.

      Now we are not to confuse God with Santa Claus and bring Him our list of wants. We want things that will undoubtedly break or go out of style: things that can be destroyed or stolen. But He has promised to supply all our needs. We may be shopping at thrift stores but if He’s part of the shopping spree we are dressed finer than royalty. We may have to purchase store brands rather than the name brand but if His name is on it, the item will serve its purpose. We may be eating canned soup but if He provided it, it’s exceptional cuisine.

      The good things are the things only He can give: Salvation, Grace, Mercy, unconditional love and the peace you can’t wrap your mind around. It says He gives good things to those who ask. I wonder how many blessings I’ve missed because I didn’t ask. How many times was I so busy compiling a list more appropriate for Santa that I missed the package of the tree? I can’t say it often enough. The greatest gift God has given us is Salvation and a Home with Him in Glory. That gift was extended from a painful place called Calvary and wrapped in an empty tomb.

      How many blessings have been missed by worrying about what cannot be changed? God’s waiting for His children to ask for what only He can give.