A Gift-giving God?

We went Christmas shopping last week. We had already decided what to get for the girls. One item for each child, as well as a candy land game for everyone, but I was surprised how tough it was to stick with that! (I don’t think I’ve been in Toys R Us since I became a parent!) Wandering through the aisles I saw so many wonderful things that my children would love to play with!

Here was a little tea set! Oh! A box of toy food. What about a cash register that really works!? Or little fairy dolls and fairy dress up outfits, they’ve been so excited about fairies lately! Should we really only stick with the Little People House? There was a Car Garage too, and a bunch of accessories. And then I saw a little stroller for a doll! I wanted to get them so many things.

It was so tempting to get my kids too many toys, or toys they were not old enough for yet. One dollhouse had lots of little furniture and five people, but also lots of removable blankets and curtains. It was tempting, but I knew that my children were a bit too young for it, they would only lose (or eat!) all the little pieces. Being able to get gifts for my children is so much fun! It felt almost impossible to pick just one thing!

The thought came to me later that night when I woke up in the dark. Is God paging through a big catalogue in excitement wondering what he should give to us? The thought was fascinating to me. I guess I’ve always seen God as this stern, displeased parent. He has already given the ultimate gift and none of us deserved it or even appreciated it fully, so that was the end of his gift-giving!

But that isn’t how I feel about my children. Yes, I’ve given them the gift of life here on earth, but that hasn’t stopped me from wanting to give them more. I am excited to give things to my children, I struggle to limit my gifts to what I know would be good for them.

Does God do the same thing?

Is God having the same conversation about me, that I have with my husband about our girls?

God: Ahhh! What gift should we give to Young Mom?

Jesus: Hasn’t she been wanting a clean house?

God: Well, I thought about that, but it requires so much assembly, she’s been tired, so I’m not sure if it’s a good choice right now. Maybe we should give her the gift of complete confidence!

Jesus: Hmmm, I don’t know if she’s ready for that, she might not know how to use it properly. What about happiness?

God: I don’t know, isn’t that a little bit like giving cash?? Argggg! This is so frustrating!

Jesus: Maybe we should ask Mom, she might have some ideas.

God: Yes! And the Spirit too, why didn’t I think of that!?

Maybe it’s silly, but the thought of a gift-giving God made me smile.