You see, we start studying the book of James next week in Bible study, so it's time to shift from Nehemiah all the time to James all the time. And while I'm woefully inadequate at this teaching stuff--as in, completely, totally unqualified--there's just nothing like the blessing of being immersed (because you are desperate for the Lord to teach you!) in God's Word.
But here's my point. Early this morning I'd been reading James 1--which, incidentally contains some pretty fabulous, practical, but convicting stuff!--and read these familiar words--
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)
We know, know, know this, don't we? Yes, of course, God is the Giver of all good gifts...but yet, all too often we forget in the nitty gritty of life. In the trenches of the grinding routine or some gripping crisis, we forget what it means to have a Lord who is relentlessly, constantly, 24-7, infinitely, and perfectly good. Good in the big things and in the small things. Good in the obvious blessings but also in the hard, confusing challenges.
We know He's good...but sometimes we live as if we've forgotten--or even doubt--it.
But today, on the way to an early morning meeting at church, the Lord gave me a simple little reminder of His extravagant goodness even in His "small and ordinary" gifts--dogs. Yep, dogs.
You see, as I was hurriedly driving to church, we passed a dear friend running with her loyal, dear old dog, Bailey. She jogged along, while sweet Bailey, a bit less energetically, lagged behind. And I couldn't help but break into a smile.
Seriously, it was one of those joy-burst moments. Little did my sweet friend know that she'd reminded me of God's goodness. I immediately thanked the Lord for this treasure of a friend, who, incidentally, is also an amazing mama, wife, and Christ-follower. Thank You, Jesus, for Your good, good gift of friends.
And, of course, thank You for dogs! Such sweet companions--like Bailey, like Bingley, like Turner, like Boxley, like Darcy, like Charlie, like Gracie, like Blue, like Emma (oh my, wonderful, dear old Emma across the street! She must be one of the oldest labs ever--a living example of steadfastness...and God's goodness!). Dogs bring so much fun, color, and love into our lives. Thank You, too, for their goofiness and single-minded focus on love, love, love. Well, that and food.
In church we sat behind the handsome young yellow lab who's in training to be some kind of service dog. Silly, I know, but as I gazed at his sweet face, I was again reminded of our Lord who never, ever stops giving gifts. He's giving and giving and giving gift upon gift upon gift...because that's who He is. Are we seeing those gifts? Are we looking to their good, good Source and giving Him all the praise and glory?
Just one more thing, but I loved this. The present participle in v.17 "coming down" describes "an unending succession of gifts." In fact, here's a more literal reading of these words: "Every good and perfect gift is from above [ALL good comes from above], coming down [in UNENDING succession] from the Father of heavenly lights [the Good Framer of the entire universe], who does not change like shifting shadows [His goodness stays at UNCHANGING, ETERNAL high noon]!"
Only good comes from God. He is good all the time, in every possible way. Our Gift-Giver is the perfectly good and awesome Father of creation. If you doubt His goodness, go out and take a little look at the stars tonight...or the hawk in mid-flight...or the sunrise in the morning...or your sweet dog.
And God's goodness will never, ever, ever change. He will be as eternally and perfectly good tomorrow as He was thousands of years ago....which means we can stop worrying about the future. We can entrust all our unknowns to the Great and Good God Who knows all, can do all, and who will keep on pouring out His goodness on us out into eternity.
A lot to be learned from a dog, isn't it?!
So, thank You, Father, thank You. Thank You for all Your gifts...from friends to dogs to everything quite literally under (and above) the sun. Lord, You are our Good, Good Father.
To God be the glory.
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