Good Gifts

We have a feather topper on our bed. It has really added a lot of comfort to that old queen sized mattress. Only the topper has seen better days. The feathers had gathered to a few corner quilted squares leaving the area that my husband and I tend to lay on FLAT. So I began talking to Chuck about a change a few days ago. (I tend to get something in my mind and proceed to talk a lot. )"We need to replace this topper."; " I think we should get a new mattress topper, don't you? ; " I really love this thing but it needs to be thrown out..it has been washed one too many times. " It was true though. There were more feathers stuck in my pjs than there were left in that topper. So tonight, I returned from Bible study and there my husband is with a giant box. Yup, a new memory foam topper. And what do I say? Thank you? NO. I said, with a quick and biting tone, " you know I don't like those memory foam things." I could tell that it was a verbal zinger that really stung. I felt horrible. I later headed up to our room, apologized and thanked him for his thoughtfulness. We put the mattress topper on and I tell you what, it is comfy! Much better than the old thing and so much better than I ever expected.

I imagine my husband is not the only one that has had a taste of my ungratefulness and sharp tone. The Lord himself has been on the receiving end of a not-so-good grumbling party in response to His good gifts. Sometimes we set our minds on how we want the Lord to respond to our requests and when He gives us better than we asked for, we turn to him and say "You know I don't want that." Maybe we do it when we are on the precipice of a bad decision and He provides a way out. (1 Cor. 10:13) Perhaps it occurs when we are busy sulking in our self loathing over our latest sin, even as He stretches out His arms and offers forgiveness. I know one thing, I don't want to put the look of pain and rejection that I saw in my husband's face tonight on anyone. Especially not on the ONE who always has my best in mind. And you know what, you can bet that ANYTHING He gives will be much better, so much better than we can ever imagine!

Matthew 7:11 "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Praise HIM!