Gifts

I went shopping for a few last minute gift items for Andrew's birthday on Friday night. I know you are very impressed by my organizational skills since his birthday was on Saturday, but hey I had the gifts by his birthday and he didn't have a clue I was doing last minute shopping. Anyways, I was shopping for Andrew and I needed to grab a couple things that Aidan needed. I noticed some character shirts on sale in the boys department. Now, I have to admit that I am not a big fan of character clothing and shoes. I don't really have a problem with it, I just think that those items tend to be overpriced and not really all that cute so I pass by that section without paying much attention to it.

This time was different though and the Star Wars shirts jumped out at me. It is not because I found them to be adorable and could not pass them up, but rather because my Aidan had just recently asked me to get him a Star Wars shirt. He never asks for clothing so I tucked that bit of information away not knowing if I would ever actually purchase him one and I went on about my day. A week later I am standing in the store with Star Wars shirts on sale and I did it. I eagerly purchased him a shirt. Did you hear that...I said I eagerly purchased the shirt and I proudly presented him with the little surprise that I knew he wanted.

When I was buying the shirt the scripture from Matthew came to me that says:
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.
I think that my Father in heaven also loves to give good gifts to those of us who ask. We all know that all good and perfect gifts come from above, so in some way we realize that the many blessings we have received come from His hand, but when I ask and then I receive I know without any doubt that it came from His hand and I am amazed at His goodness. Do you ever think that God is excited to lavish His good gifts upon us, much the same way that I was excited to present the small gift to Aidan. God will not give me everything I ask for because He knows what I need better than I know(much the same way that I know some things are just not in the best interest of my children), but what joy I have in giving to them when I can. I think God is like that in some ways and He loves to give to us what we ask for and I know that I see Him providing for me and meeting my needs so much more clearly when I stop and take the time to ask. It was such a sweet lesson for me as I shopped for my own children.