J. Kevin Butcher's Blog

After preaching on God being the giver of good and perfect gifts…and the fact that He is always, always giving…He never stops giving gifts to His kids…I went home and had an experience that made it so very clear, one more time, just exactly WHY He gives to us so perfectly and perpetually.

I was holding my granddaughter Ada, looking into her eyes and talking to her – and I found myself asking her if she wanted to go to the zoo with me.  Of course, she’s only 7 weeks old and not quite ready for the zoo yet – but that’s beside the point.   I told her about all the animals I wanted to show her – the zebras and the ground hogs [Carla said, “You mean prairie dogs, don’t you?” and as usual she was right] and the lions who just sit there but are pretty cool to look at anyway.  And then I said, “Ada, I want to buy you a big Coke and then we’ll have a hot dog or two with mustard and relish and then we’ll get some cotton candy when we’re done.”  And I think she started fussing a little and her mother took her to feed her so I didn’t get a chance to tell her about the cool souvenir shops where I would buy her one of everything if she wanted it – and I also didn’t get a chance to tell her about taking her to the Tiger game and the African American History Museum and the DIA.  I had so much fun even THINKING about the places I want to take Ada and the gifts and presents I want to buy her and of course, the gift of simply being with her and holding her hand while we walk and carrying her on my shoulders when she is tired.  I’m telling you – I was literally overwhelmed with delight…even thinking about giving to my precious little Ada.

And then, in an instant, in that moment…I got a glimpse of why the Father gives and gives and gives and keeps on giving good and perfect gifts to us.  He loves me…He loves you so much.  And He loves loving us.  Look around you today – He’s giving to you…good gifts, perfect gifts…right now…and He’s loving  it…because He loves you so very much.