Every good and perfect gift

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. –James 1:17

Hot coffee on a quiet morning before the house wakes up.

The sun.

Food from the garden filling our bellies for dinner.

The sounds of Harper playing school with her stuffed animals when she’s supposed to be asleep.

The smell of a new book.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The hard, uncomfortable conversations that lead to understanding.

A Shopkins bandaid on a fresh blister.

Sharing a loaf of banana bread with visitors.

Correction, gentle correction, in the form of an overdrawn bank account.

Lunches with my grandma.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Rest.

A new month on the calendar.

Those fifty minutes in counseling each week.

Clean bedding after a shower.

The end of an unhealthy friendship.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

A dog who doesn’t understand personal space when you’re trying to isolate yourself too much.

More coffee.

Being forgiven.

Forgiving.

When someone says, “I know it’s hard; I’m praying for you.”

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Lightening bugs over a cornfield.

Getting out of bed.

A green chip celebrating sixty days.

Trusting Him when you’re too broken to trust yourself.

Three orange Popsicles after the girls are in bed.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Friends who just sit with you, no need to talk.

Some more coffee.

Right now, in this moment, being okay.

A rug with fresh sweeper marks.

Water: by the glass, in a pool, from the clouds.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Learning there is no such thing as a coincidence.

Laughing. Crying. Then laughing again.

The ability to eat the raw cookie dough and not get sick.

Those three minutes my girls play nicely with each other.

Beginning again.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Hope, even if you can’t find words to explain why.

Every good and perfect gift is from above…

His good and perfect gift—His eyes, His heart, His glory. Not mine. Not this world’s. Not for my understanding.

…coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…

God who created the oceans and the mountains and the stars—He’s in control. He knows what’s happening. He loves.

…who does not change like shifting shadows.

The constant Creator in a world that doesn’t stop moving, is never quiet, doesn’t understand consistency.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. –James 1:17