Every good gift and every 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 ESV

All she ever wanted was a horse. Our young daughter, Bre, rode carousel horses and played with toy horses until she was old enough to ride horses at summer camp each year through high school. She collected horse picture books, watched horse movies, and had horse-themed birthday parties, but she still wanted and frequently asked for a real horse.

Bre’s love of horses grew each year, but it wasn’t possible for our family to own one. We lived in town and we weren’t able to financially afford one. 

One Christmas, her dad surprised her with an enchanting snow globe that held an intricately carved and painted carousel horse.  Best gift ever! “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11 ESV)! Bre cherished it by giving it a prominent place on her bedroom dresser.  Unfortunately, during one of our moves, the glass shattered leaving the carousel horse bare on the wooden base. It didn’t matter—Bre kept it and took it with her when she left home after high school.  I’m not certain, but she may still have it!

My daughter felt comfortable asking her dad then for various things. Now as an adult she doesn’t fear asking her heavenly Father for needs and wants. Sadly, some of us as children weren’t allowed to approach our fathers—even for legitimate things. If that’s true for you, and that’s carried over into adulthood, don’t let fear hold you back anymore. When you’re a daughter of the Father, he welcomes your requests and desires to freely bestow His gifts from his abundance. Our unchanging Father gives life, every breath, himself, our daily bread, forgiveness, grace, and more.

Karen Sims