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
My daughter was coming over to make Christmas cookies, and I had been excited about it for days.
I strategized which cookies we could make in our limited time together. While at the store, I purchased all her favorite foods, just to bless her. I cooked homemade soup for our lunch. I told everyone who asked, and a few who didn’t, that my daughter was coming to make cookies. The cookies, of course, were just an excuse to be in her company. I wouldn’t care if we didn’t bake a single cookie.
The morning of her arrival, I struggled to focus my attention on the Lord during our usual “Sabbath Day.” Normally on our Sabbath Day I revel in His nearness or write in my spiritual journal or read large swaths of scripture. None of that happened. I felt as if I had accomplished nothing, and I told the Lord so.
My heavenly Father reminded me that His favorite thing was to spend time with His kids too. Just like I was excited to be in my daughter’s presence, He was excited to be in mine. He didn’t care that nothing got accomplished; He was just delighted to be with me.
Intimacy is the desire of God’s heart. We were made for His pleasure. He loves it when we just spend time with Him. The bonus for us is the blessings He lavishes on us as we do. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of heavenly lights.
May your Christmas be filled with His presence and His gifts. Amen.