Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BACK TO BASICS (02/16/17)
-
TITLE: The Father Knows Best | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Gage
02/23/17 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
My selfish secret was that I liked getting gifts. I love picturing my husband going into a store that he doesn’t usually go into and choosing my gift. Whether it was socks or flowers, he thought of me.
The oldest always seemed to get me something non-essential with special meaning. Like a cross necklace. I don’t wear jewelry but the cross is very special. The youngest stuck with my favorites; ink pens, key-chains or fridge magnets. Gifts that were not necessity, but guaranteed that I would like them.
The practical middle child, gave practical gifts to make mom’s life easier. The two best were a robot that vacuumed the floors all day and a cleaning product that scrubbed the tub while I was away. Who needed a maid?
For a month, the answer to queries about what I wanted for my birthday was same as every other year.
My BIG day was Wednesday. When it came and went without any hullabaloo, a mixture of unbelief and relief struck my heart. Thursday passed with no mention from anyone about my birthday. I brushed-off lonely feelings. Friday night arrived and it was the same. The tinge of loneliness became sadness in the pit of my stomach.
Saturday morning I woke up encouraged that this would be the day. Saturday chores of vacuuming where the robot missed and scrubbing where the bubbles failed were completed and still no signs of celebration. My husband worked in the garage all day. I didn’t hear from my 2 oldest and the youngest left with a friend.
That evening, I sat in bed confused, “Did they forget?”
Why were tears welling up? I turned my back to hide.
My husband patted my shoulder, “G’night, hon.” No ‘happy birthday.’ I squeezed the tears back.
Sundays are great, because we all meet to worship and listen to God’s Word together. Suspiciously my eldest was missing so I suspected some preparation for a surprise. After church, everyone dispersed. At home, I slowly opened the door with a prepared surprised facial expression but, everything was quiet. I sat on the couch, unable to stop the flood of tears.
“Why am I crying?” Hadn’t I told everyone NOT to make a fuss?
Then I asked God, “Why?” He knows me even better than I do.
I picked up my Bible and opened to the verse I highlighted during church, “Who hath saved us and called us to a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Timothy 1:9
God’s truth hits me like bolt, at times. The pity-party abruptly ended; thankfulness began.
I prayed, “Thank You Lord for calling and saving me…”
Just then the whole gang came bursting through the door.
“We tried to give what you asked for.” My daughter hugged me. “We just couldn’t forget your birthday.”
My husband hesitated, “But we have no gifts.”
Happy tears spilled. “Oh honey, I already got the best gift ever.”
By his perplexed expression, I knew explanation was needed.
After a rough rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ over stale donuts, we all sat around the living room as I told my family about OUR best gift. How even before any of us had birthdays God thought of giving us a gift. The perfect love gift that saves us from our sins. God’s Grace given to us through Jesus Christ. It existed before the world even began and continues through eternity!
Yep, I like getting gifts and even though this year there were no socks, no jewelry, no key-chains and no cleaning robots I am forever comforted and thankful knowing that The Father was thinking of me so much that He gave the most-special, most-needed perfect gift even before I could say, ‘I don’t want or need anything.’
Now I can say I am absolutely positive that I have everything!
So, next year I probably won’t get socks, key-chains, jewelry or cleaning robots. Oh well, it’s ALL good.
The Father knows best and His grace is enough.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
