There is a moment when a child’s face lights up when receiving an unexpected gift. It’s a moment that we try to manufacture with fancy toys and frilly clothes. A few days ago, my grandnephew, Rory’s face lit up in that special way over re-used tin box filled with rocks.
Earlier that day, we worked at Dad’s house, preparing for the upcoming estate sale. One thing I gathered was the various small stones and rocks Mom and Dad had collected in their travels. He could have told us where each one came from. My sister had some inside information that Rory also likes rock hunting. We found a suitable tin that looked like a treasure chest, filled it with Dad’s rocks, and presented it to him at his birthday party that evening. He beamed.
That got me thinking about the gifts our Heavenly Father gives us. Jesus taught, “Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.” (Matthew 7:9–11, CSB) When we read these verses, we often think of the elaborate gifts God could give us. Things that are splashy with power, smooth the path of life, and miraculously wonderful. We ask for the big stuff and ignore all the little stuff, the plain but perfect things God frequently gives.
Let’s start with something simple, like praising God for the day. “This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, CSB) Let’s thank Him for our daily bread. Let’s praise him for the breath in our lungs. Let’s thank Him for the strength of our hands and the smarts in our brains. Let’s praise Him that his mercies are new every morning. “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:22–23, CSB) And that is just the whisper of the long list of simple gifts God gives.
God does know our needs. He is a good father who gives us the right things at the right time. It may be something we want, or it may be something we need even if we don’t like it. But I also know that sometimes God gives us gifts uniquely fitted to who we are. Those gifts make our faces light up like that box of rocks gave joy to Rory.
What is my box of rocks? At this point in my journey, some of those rocks are observing something that tells a story about God. Something like the face of a rock-hunting child opening a box of stones. Another of those rocks is chance encounters to do good, connect with someone, or share Jesus with them in some small way. Sometimes, those folks are strangers; often, they are in my sphere of relationships. It’s like digging through the mundane gravel of life and finding a uniquely colored or shaped rock.
My challenge for you today is to praise and thank God for the small gifts He lavishes on us daily and consider your box of rocks. What unique thing given by God lights up your face in a special way?
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