The other day I found myself sitting alone in a local doughnut shop drinking my coffee. It was a mid -February morning and the weather was unseasonably warm. People were sitting outside on the benches enjoying the respite from winter. I chose to sit inside. I sat close to the window so that I could enjoy the bright sunshine that was streaming through it. The position I chose afforded me the opportunity to view the entire lobby of the shop. As I was sitting there I noticed a young mother and her small child, walk into the shop. The child was a girl, about three years old, cute as a button, with bright sparkling eyes and curly dark hair. I watched her mother gently ushered her to the counter to order. The girl could hardly hold in her excitement, as her mother asked her what type of doughnut she wanted. I could see her small hands reaching up to the counter, trying to leverage herself so the she could see across it to view the doughnuts on the self and make her selection. Her mother, ever attentive noticed her child struggling, she reached down and lifted the child off the floor until the child could see. Ever patiently she asked her daughter again what type of sweet pastry she desired, and with feet dangling the child answered, "I want that one." "The brown one?" the mother questioned. With excitement overflowing from the small child she replied. "No, no- that one!" Small fingers pointing. The mother looking at where the tiny fingers were pointing, and replied in a gentle voice. "The pink one?" The little girl's head began bobbing up and down as she answered with a bubbly explosion of words. "Yes Mommy, that one, that one!," she exclaimed. The mother looked at her daughter with mild inquiry,"Are you sure? It's usually the brown one you want. Well, O.K., then that's the we'll get." She placed the child on her feet, and proceeded to complete their order and pay for it. The two of them then walked to a bar stool and table, sat down and enjoyed each other company and their mutual treats.
I thought to myself ,what a display of love. To others this mother daughter interaction might seem like a normal everyday occurrence, but in my minds eye I saw a living example of God's great love and concern for me, and for you. Let's examine this a little closer Point one: the mother and daughter are spending time with other. Quality time, sharing an experience, enjoying each other company, interacting with each other in a positive fashion. God wants to spend quality time in our presence. He delights in us when we seek to and find pleasure in his presence. God is eager and willing to share all of life's experiences with us. God wants to parent us, to partner with us, to intimately interact with us personally. God is concerned with our success. He want us to be productive in the life he has planned for us. A Life full of many gifts great and small. God has given us a constant companion, one who knows us and understands our needs. He has given us His Holy Spirit. Point Two: the young mother wanted to do something that would bring pleasure to her young child. She choose give a small pastry, a gift, to display her love to someone she cared for. To do something for her daughter that her young daughter could not for herself. The Bible tells us that The God of Heaven has given us the ultimate gift and continues to constantly give us gifts. God loved us so much that he gave us his one and only son Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life. And Jesus, God's son, loved us so much that he gave us a gift we could not give ourselves, a way to escape judgement from our sins. He gave us his life.
Just take a moment to reflect on the this past week. Name the gifts God has given you. This should make you smile. God wants to see you smile. He delights in you!
John 3:16-For God so love the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but have everlasting life. .
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