Good Gifts

We were at the grocery store. Only buying 2 things. You know how that goes. TWO THINGS. And she saw this nasty looking doggie bone. Like the kind that actually came from another animal. Gag me. (I use to be a vegetarian for forever, so cut me a little slack here, please.) And she begged and pleaded for us to get it. "Oh please please please! It can be for his birthday!" Our dog's birthday is in June and we don't even celebrate it. Usually. And then she says, "Its even on sale mommy!" Mercy. Does she know me that well?

So we bring home said disgusting bone and sing happy birthday and give it to him. And then we sit and watch him in the yard with his new found treasure. He's so happy he doesn't know what to do first. Lick it, chew on it, carry it around all proud-like, bury it. What I was not expecting was the sheer pleasure and joy we got from watching him enjoy his gift. He loved that thing. He was so excited. I'm not sure what I got a kick out of more, watching our dog devour his toy, or watching my daughter beam with pride over her "well chosen" gift.

And then I remembered this: "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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13)

I wonder, if we get so tickled over giving our dog a bone, how much pleasure does it bring God to watch His children enjoy a gift He's given them?

Speaking of thoughts on fathers, scoot on over to Lysa's blog again. There's a great post of the protection and love of a father today.