Christmas List

 On Christmas morning, we have a tradition for receiving gifts. Each person in our family gets three gifts to represent the three gifts the Magi gave Baby Jesus. (If that sounds sad to some of you they still get stockings and presents from their brothers and grandparents. Don't worry!) The boys generally get to choose those gifts and they tell us what they'd like. Anyway, below is one of my son's original Christmas List:

1. A real light saber. From the movie. Able to chop off an arm.

2. A jet pack. So I can fly. Or at least jump really, really high.

3. A Samurai sword that warriors use.

Ummm...no. He isn't getting any of these. And explaining why was pretty hard too. Imagine keeping a straight face as you told your son why these weren't available or good for him to have! 

But our conversation made me think of my requests to God. Some things I want seem so important, so right, so perfect for me that I don't understand why the answer is no. But as a loving Father, he knows what is best. And also what is ridiculous for me to ask for. (jet pack, anyone?) And just as I want my sons to be content with what they get,  I too need to be content with what my Heavenly Father gives me.  He loves me and everything that comes to me comes from His hand. And everything that He withholds, is withheld in love. And if I trust that to be true, I will not need to feel sadness or discontentment, will I?

Matthew 7:11 If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?