This week the girls have been playing with an array of new toys that came our way in celebration of Toddler 2’s birthday. On a much smaller scale, it’s kind of like the week after Christmas when you have new things everywhere and you have to purge some of the old to make room for the new (only I haven’t purged yet, so it just looks like a very large piñata burst over our den). Things like a shopping cart, a doodle pad, a toy wedding cake, a vacuum cleaner, a piggy bank that plays music… these have been a constant source of entertainment all week. So much so, in fact, that the girls have hardly even watched TV (which is a remarkable feat).
Of course, I realize that things, no matter how exciting, should never be the source of our happiness. We have no real need for this kind of abundance. And, I know that years ago children were perfectly entertained (and probably better for it) without a playroom full of toys, let alone the fancy technology that comes along with them now.
But, what strikes me about watching the girls play over the last few days is how much joy they derive from the simplest of gifts. None of these toys are particularly expensive; they’re just new, and interesting, and fun. Most young children are easy to buy for. They’re fascinated with music, and lights, and things that go. They like to build, to create, to explore their world. And, they’re too young to be picky about color, size, or style (unless you’re Toddler 1 and you form discriminating taste at 18 months old). For the most part, though, even the boxes and bows are exciting when you’re two!
As a parent, I especially know what my own children would like. Birthday and holiday shopping is a breeze. The only challenge is limiting myself to one or two gifts when I see a whole aisle of toys that would be “perfect” for the occasion. Giving a good, appropriate gift is easy and rewarding.
So, this is what has been on my mind this week…
“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” (Matthew 7:11, NLT)
What a great reminder that our feeble attempts to be good gift-givers will always pale in light of God’s gracious willingness to bless us with gifts–far better gifts than we have the means (or minds) to give.
Though I don’t have the same affinity for my vacuum cleaner that Toddler 2 now has for her toy Dirt Devil, I want to be more aware of the “good gifts” that are here in front of me and really relish them. I have a bunch of great gifts in the form people… and freedoms… and opportunities… and experiences that I am very, very grateful for. And, I want to be the kind of person who makes Christianity a little more attractive because I look and act like someone who knows how to laugh, how to play, and how to enjoy life with all the good gifts God offers.
One of my favorite writers on marriage and parenting, Gary Thomas, says this, “God, as the giver of many gifts, would love to see us cry tears of joy and gratitude when he gives us gifts that bring us pleasure. If you see this world and your life as a gift from a loving creator, and every Christian should, then let’s honor that gift by enjoying it.”
So, here’s to gifts—good gifts—and unreservedly enjoying them 🙂
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