Good Gifts and Great Lessons

Jack turned 7 this week and the coolest thing happened. For the first time in several years, I was actually able to get him what he wanted. You see, Jack is a very hard child to shop for. He rarely asks for anything and when he does, it is impossible to acquire. For 3 years all he wanted was an elevator then last year he finally figured out that wasn't happening and decided he would settle for a train that he could drive through the neighborhood and pick up his friends with. So all week I have been waiting for this year's big announcement. What was it going to be?

Wednesday he came down stairs and said, "I know what I want for my birthday. I want a stop sign"! A stop sign? Yes- a stop sign. Thank heavens he meant the kind you could hold in your hand, but even then I wasn't sure that those could be purchased anywhere. So after much searching on the internet and calling around, we went on the hunt for a stop sign today. I had looked online at Lakeshore Learning and they did not have them, but luckily I decided to stop by just in case. I hesitantly asked the lady and she walked us right over to them. You should have seen the look on Jack's face. He was so excited! The lady even laughed because Jack couldn't hold back his joy and it spilled over to my heart too. On our way out, Jack said "I love this store" (its a place where teachers shop for classroom supplies).

As soon as we got in the car, this verse came to mind

Matthew 7:11- If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

It so warmed my heart to be able to see Jack's glee when he received that stop sign and to see him now outside enjoying it as he plays crossing guard with the neighbors. I think I have a better understanding now of how God must feel when we rejoice over all the great things he has done for us. I will take more time to say thank you to Him from now on.