Friday, March 2, 2012

Simple Gifts

Just a quick post about some thoughts I had yesterday. Jon was disappointed that the free cookies at Kroger were oatmeal raisin--he really can't handle raisins, the texture bothers him. I felt bad for him and upon spying the Easter candy isle decided to splurge and get some Peeps for us to share. On the way home I was thinking about how happy that made him and how much I enjoy giving my kids things and making them happy. Then I was thinking about how easy it is to cross the line between being generous with your children and spoiling them. And how making them "happy" isn't always best for them--and I'm not just talking about nutrition here. And all at once I was overwhelmed with thankfulness to God. He's the perfect gift giver. He gives only good gifts. He knows our every need and also lavishes His kindness on us by going above and beyond those needs. If I am able, in my finite state, to give good gifts to my kids, how much better are the gifts from our Heavenly Father.


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

2 comments:

Laura said...

Very true. Good reminder. I appreciate your perspective as a mother. I would love to live closer and sit and chat about these things. I struggle with my kids being obsessed about getting "new things." I will often pick up a puzzle or book at a garage sale for really cheap. They have educational value and are clearly not breaking the bank. Totally willing to "splurge" on these things. However, I have seen that when I give my kids these kinds of things frequently, they become only focused on their new puzzles and books and are asking me all the time to get something new. I don't want to hold good things back from them if there is no good reason that they can't have the thing itself, but their attitude is so rotten. (I see you changed your blog settings. :)

Heather said...

Laura, I would love that to--the sitting and chatting about all the mom issues that come our way. I struggle with getting them things, too. It seems like between their birthdays (end of summer) and Christmas, they are constantly talking about the things they want. Then after Christmas they begin talking about what they want for their birthdays...it's really so difficult to teach kids contentment.
Oh and yes, not sure why I had those settings like that, but I changed them! Thanks! :)