My youngest son, Paul, whom I love so very much, just taught me an important lesson. Recently his dad and I went shopping for Christmas gifts and before we left for town he asked if we might get him a nerf gun this year. Now any parent knows that a nerf gun, in the hands of two boys, doesn't last till New Years. At least not in our house. So when he asked for this I had the image of rolling down my car window and tossing nerf gun dollars out. It's the same to me. Unbeknownst to Paul, his dad and I had planned on and purchased a present for him that we knew he would love far more and would last far longer. He's wanted this gift for a long time but never dreamed this would be his Christmas present this year. So he's been standing by the tree a bit sadly, eyeing gifts that don't remotely resemble a nerf gun. Every once in awhile he makes little noises that in case we've forgotten this very important gift there's still time...
And I so want to tell him that we have something that will be so much more fun if he will only wait a little longer. I want to reassure him that I've not forgotten but have just planned something even better, so much so that he'll be jumping for joy.
And suddenly I'm struck by how often I do this with my heavenly Father. I pray about all sorts of things and have an idea of when and how I'd like these prayers to be answered. I'm a lot like Paul standing at the tree, overlooking the gifts He's already given me, and hoping He's not forgotten. I wonder if He longs to reassure me, as I do Paul, that He isn't going to give me second best but has something so much better, so far superior to what I'm wanting in my smallness, that I'll be jumping for joy when the day comes.
If you're dealing with a delayed dream, I encourage you to remember Paul and his nerf gun. If you're longing to be published and that's His gift for you, He already sees your book on the shelf even though you can't. That's certainly the way it happened for me. A long delay, a dream that almost died, and then great joy that He'd not forgotten.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17
Laura, you first make me laugh (I have 2 boys and Yes, I know what you mean about nerf dollars flying out the window!! In fact, Bear is wanting a nerf dart tag set for Christmas this year) and then you make me tear up!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you related your son's anguish over wanting the "perfect" gift to the way we are when we want our "perfect gift". We have no clue!!! God is so much more gracious and loving than we can even begin to imagine!!
You have blessed me tonight with this story. I look forward to hearing what Paul is actually getting for Christmas.
Oh Laura, how I needed to read this post today. Thank you. While my delayed dream has nothing to do with publishing (at the moment anyway, LOL), this post ministered to my heart in a very deep way - so thank you, my friend! :)
ReplyDeleteLaura, I need every reminder of this kind that I can get. It never gets old, and my childlike impatience and certainty that I know what's best for me is a constant issue to be set aside, remembering that He has us on a path, and all good things will come in His time. Beautiful reminder, gently written, and the perfect note upon which to start this Monday. May He bless your writing today, and keep you focused, whether life and the season grants you ten minutes or ten hours!
ReplyDeleteA very fitting post for me, Laura. Especially as I do a personal evaluation and prepare myself for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what present I really, really want (or *think* I want) I don't want to miss our on the gifts that God has hand-selected for me. Deep down, I know those are greater by far.
Thanks for sharing this analogy with us and thanks always for your encouragement!
Nerf guns! How could I forget. We had a whole arsenal of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Laura! To trust our heavenly Father to provide the best gifts for us, not just what we think we want. The verse in Ecclesiastes keeps ringing out to me lately, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Thank you for the encouragement!
Lisa, I'm sure you're well-acquainted with nerfs:) The ultimate boy toy! Am wondering if all your nerf darts get lost in the woods like ours do?!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your heartfelt comments here. They mean every bit as much as my post meant to you. God is so good to put up with our impatience and shenanigans!
Can't wait to tell you what Paul thinks about his gift:)
Yes, Lori, like you so aptly said, "in his time." Which is never ours, I'm finding out! But always better and right. Praying your writing/reading/research goes well this week. So thankful to not have to walk the path alone.
ReplyDeleteRuth, Your comment blessed me so much. We are all so in need of encouragement and that's what you've done for me this morning. So it works both ways, my friend:)
ReplyDeleteMary, I do just what you do - make New Years a time for introspection and evaluation. On that note, I just found a Bible study that is so inspiring - Becoming a Vessel God Can Use by Donna Partow. I'm doing it alone and wanted to mention it here in case anyone might be interested. Am only on chapter 2 and it's changing me!
ReplyDeleteThank you for encouraging me, Mary. You just don't know how far that goes!
Laura, I did that Donna Partow Bible Study in my women's small group a few years ago. It's wonderful! I pray you'll be blessed and enlightened as you go through it.
ReplyDeleteThis hit home with me, Laura. I've been working on two books, doing all the "right" things without seeing any encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me wait a little longer. :)
Blessings,
Susan
That verse is a particular delight to me, Carla, because it speaks to His perfect timing. And I'm so happy you've done this same Bible study. I imagine in a small group it would be powerful. It's certainly proving that solo! I can hardly just keep to one lesson but want to race ahead - just like a good fiction book. The other benefit is that she has several more that look just as beneficial. I consider it God's Christmas gift to me as I've been restless for months wanting a study like this. Bless you today!
ReplyDeleteSusan, Thanks so much for stopping by here. I understand so well the labor of love in writing and the wilderness experience of it all. I look forward to hearing more about your WIP's - you have a wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteThis was encouraging. Thank you for being a true vessel of God and delivering this message of hope! Because of this, I want to keep on GOING! Off topic, I've over halfway through TFD and it's getting better with every page!
ReplyDeleteBritt, Thanks so much for commenting and giving me a progress report on TFD! It's not a light read, so to speak, nor is it a little book. You'll have to tell me which hero you liked. There is some debate about that:) Looking forward to hearing more about your WIP's!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I think you've got me nailed. I do stand by that tree wishing for what I think is the perfect present, forgetting that what God gives me is better than what I can ever imagine. Thank you for that ever-important reminder.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, It even helps hearing the truth of this paraphrased back to me by you:) Contentment is so hard to come by especially in this busy season. But you're so right - God gives us so much this very moment if we just see it for what it is.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post speaks to me as well. I'm forever telling God just how I'd like Him to handle things and He's forever not listening! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI like the picture of the simple brown-paper-wrapped package you used to illustrate this blog as well. It (along with your words of wisdom) have given me an inkling of an idea for a women's devotional I'm responsible for in a month's time. Thanks for being my inspiration!!!
As iron sharpens iron, Kav:) You certainly do that for me. Glad you have a devotional in your future. I am a nut for devotional books and talks, etc. Had to chuckle at your telling God and His turning a deaf ear. Ditto here. Thank heavens He doesn't give us all we ask for!
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this post, me and my prayers came to mind, too.
ReplyDeleteThank You!
Me, too, Eileen! Guess we are all in this together. But He loves us anyway, thank heavens:)
ReplyDeleteLaura, this is a GREAT blog!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I wandered onto it today!
"The Perfect Gift" is such a commercialized concept that we sometimes forget our Lord GAVE us the perfect gift in that Perfect Babe.
Look forward to following this site!
patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog
Patti, I'm so glad you wandered over here - it's sure a blessing to meet you! You are so right - the perfect gift is Jesus - free and priceless and everlasting. Can't wait to get to know you via your blog:) Going there now...
ReplyDeleteWhat a comfortable, homey site. Sigh. This 54-year-old has kinda discarded my dreams for God's plan.
ReplyDeleteBoy, it makes daily living like a blast with a Nerf gun!
Blessings to you, Laura.
I love this place.
Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog