THIS! Is Love

It was a cold, rainy morning. My idea of a perfect day! I slid out of bed and into my favorite pair of buttery soft jeans. I hugged myself in my oldest, warmest cardigan. Comfort, I thought. In the kitchen, my husband wrapped his long, strong arms around me in a big squeeze. Security, I thought. As I sat down with my coffee, I inhaled deeply its rich, earthy aroma. Familiar. Taking that first, delicious sip, I noticed Luci standing next to me, her piercing eyes awaiting mine. Loyalty. 

What a precious gift! Normally, my husband rises in darkness, and usually after too few hours of sleep. I tip-toe down the stairs about an hour later, careful not to wake the rest of the house, and I head to the kitchen to pack his lunch. Although a "normal routine" is what I most I longed for when I was working nights, our schedules rarely seeming to coincide, what a gift it is to stray from the routine. In this case, to wake up together and to take our time doing it. 

As wonderful as these rarities are, our generous and loving God is far more wonderful than the things He gives. James 1:17 says:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Just think about that. Good gifts, perfect gifts come from God. Now, that could mean that good gifts come from God and bad "gifts" come from elsewhere, but that's not exactly where James was going with this. First of all, if it's from God, it's good, it's perfect. Romans 8:28 promises:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Those of us who call Him Lord have the full assurance that everything He allows is good or will be good --even things that may not appear that way. Secondly, the gifts He gives are meant to draw our attention, our adoration, our gratitude toward Him. God's giving is a reflection of His character. If His gifts are good and perfect, it is because He is, and His character does not change. That's what James was talking about when He says, in God there is no shadow or variation. He doesn't duck in and out like the sun on a cloudy day. He is always good. Sometimes we just have to wait for the big picture to be revealed.

Within moments of taking that first sip, I heard Mom stirring about. Despite my desire for a leisurely start, she was ready to get things moving. I headed downstairs to help her with her morning routine: washing, dressing, making her bed, and back upstairs to the kitchen to get her breakfast. As she savored her first bite of banana bread, a smile spread across her face. In halting speech controlled by a brain searching for words once readily available, she exclaimed, "This! is love." And she is absolutely right.