Good And Perfect Gifts

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

We bought Jon an adult-sized wearable blanket for Christmas a few years back. With a giant hood and oversize sleeves, it’s otherwise an enormous square of fluffy, fleecy fabric. It hilariously covered Jon from head to ankle and was one part novelty and one part practical fun. After essentially living in it that winter, Jon eventually relegated it to our living room blanket basket.

And that’s where I found it one especially cool autumn morning. With a chill permeating the entire house, I was looking for a way to stay warm without turning on the furnace, and its bulky warmth called to me as a possible solution.

You can now find me wearing Jon’s giant blanket—with his permission—from midautumn all through the winter. It accompanies me onto the back patio as Aaron and I soak up the last lovely, cool fall evenings, and it’s what I wear in lieu of a robe on brisk school mornings. It looks utterly ridiculous and yet allows me to move from task to task in cozy warmth without having to readjust or rearrange anything. I adore it, despite its fashionista shortcomings.

I’m on a hunt to identify gifts from God—small (and big) ways he shows his love for us as individuals, knowing exactly what brings us delight—and my wearable blanket has officially made the list. It never fails to bring me joy, and I send a thankful thought heavenward every time I pull it on.

Sometimes we get so focused on the big moves of God or on prayers that have yet to be answered that we can miss out on the ordinary, everyday joys he sends our way. Because I don’t want to miss anything God would use to encourage or love me, it’s become a bit of a game to specifically revel in small moments and simple pleasures, pausing to thank God for my ridiculous wearable blanket as it slips over my head, for that first sip of really good coffee, for a glorious sunset peeping through a tree canopy on fire with leaves in hues of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

What good gifts has God given you recently? Spend a few moments thanking him for them.