A Perfect Gift

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

This Friday afternoon, we will put Jamie on a plane headed to Pau, France where she will spend 4 months studying, experiencing the culture, enjoying the new foods and gaining new perspectives on how others live. This has been a dream of hers and she has worked hard and God has blessed us abundantly that this dream could become a reality.

The other day in my small group we discussed the question "What have I been able to give over to God?" My answer, spoken with great confident assurance, was my daughter, Jamie. Today, the day before she leaves, I am contemplating that question along with my answer. Have I really given my daughter over to God? Do I trust God to take care of her like I do?

I flip through the "Words of Life" that I've been e-mailing her regularly since she started college nearly 3 years ago. I read the promises of God that I had hoped would bring peace in the midst of her storms and joy in the life experiences that God had ordained for this time in her life. I read how I told her time and time again that God loves her more than she can imagine and that He has a good and perfect plan for her life. (Romans 8:28-30), (Jer. 29:11) That she is a chosen daughter of the King, highly favored and created for a purpose. She knows that the Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29) (Psalm 46:1) That "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." She knows that the God makes her steps firm (2 Samuel 22:33-34) and that she has an inheritance as God's chosen one.

God is creator and sustainer. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." (Acts 17:24-25) When Jesus approached the men that would become the disciples, he told them to leave everything and follow him. In essence he was saying, can you trust me to take care of all your treasured possessions?

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me… Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (10:37-39)

God gives us many gifts and blessings. Perfect gifts from heaven above. We are to be good stewards of all he has given us. But ultimately, everything belongs to God. "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure… Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in our presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:5, 9-11)

God loves Jamie even more than I do and He loves you too! He has given us a portion and cup and has made us secure. He is our rock, fortress and deliver. He is our shield. He reaches down from on high and takes hold of us. He brings us out into a spacious place and rescues us because he delights in us! (Psalm 18)

"now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:6-7)

"How great is his joy in the victories you give? You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him--length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. FOR THE KING TRUSTS IN THE LORD; THROUGH THE UNFAILING LOVE OF THE MOST HIGH HE WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might." (Psalm 21:1-7, 13)

Have I given my sweet, precious "darling" girl over to the loving, faithful, protective God I call Father? He will carry her as a father carries his son. (Deut. 1:31) His Spirit will fill her with love, power and a sound mind. His living water will flow out of her to a thirsty dying world as she serves God in His power. (John 15:5) His angels will protect her wherever she goes. (Psalm 91:11) He will supply all of her needs. ((Phil. 4:19) I thank God everyday for trusting me with this most precious gift. His daughter, brought forth into this world to live out His most perfect plan for her life. Now its time that I trust him.

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." (Psalm 57:10-11)