Everything Good

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

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from Him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. – (James 1:17, ERV)

Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, Who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. – (James 1:17, TPT)

Yesterday was a wonderful reminder of this very truth. God gives us good gifts. I was blessed with time to run in the morning with my long-time running bestie to start my day after walking the pups, then was able to spend much of the day with one of my dearest friends, who is for all practical purposes, family. Though we seldom find time to get together, each time we do, we pick up where we left off. Like the goodness of God, the goodness of friendship does not change. Additionally, time with my family during a family dinner out, was yet another gift from above. Our typically quiet evening meal was disrupted, and laughter and stories exchanged. For me, that in and of itself was a gift, as dining with four big guys is usually focused on consuming what is in front of them, not on conversation with those around them. Friends and family from near and far took time out of their day to send greetings and kind wishes as I celebrated a milestone birthday. I am so grateful for the good and perfect gifts that God has granted. He knows our heart and how to bless us best. May we ever seek the Lord and trust in Him, for He is good and His love never fails.

The Lord is so good,

His love never fails;

No matter what comes,

His love will prevail.

Goodness and mercy,

Throughout all our days;

His faithful blessings,

Show goodness and grace.

Each day is a gift,

Treasure to embrace;

Surrounded by love,

And washed by His grace.

All thanks be to God,

His love never ends;

Each time that we seek,

Sweet answers He sends.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank You for placing people in our lives that show us Your goodness and grace. Forgive us for taking anything for granted, for everything good comes from You and is deserving of our gratitude. Teach us to trust in Your goodness, always. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known in tangible ways. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love us perfectly. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me. – Psalm 13:6

Every Good Gift

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

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from Him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. – (James 1:17, ERV)

Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows. – (James 1:17, VOICE)

 

God is always good. Though life takes twists and turns that are not; He forever remains the same. In the darkness, we can trust in His light. There is no place that we can go to depart from God’s presence, and there is nothing that we can do that will take away His love for us. Such consistency is reassuring in seasons of uncertainty. It matters not what we face, for God remains good, and present, and for us. He gives good gifts and brings light to the darkness; His love is always the same. May we trust in the Lord in all things and at all times, and recognize every good and perfect gift that comes from our Father above, for He is faithful and true and remains the same forever.

Today will be mom’s first day of out-patient occupational therapy, which is the therapy she is most eager to get started on, as O.T. focuses on upper body, and for mom, that is especially significant for her right arm. We are praying that new pathways begin firing to her right arm, and that movement and mobility begin to be reestablished where it has been lacking the most. Mom is hopeful and ready to work hard, and we are trusting in faith beside her.

 

All good that exists,

Comes down from above;

Gifted from the Lord,

Full of His great love.

Light in the darkness,

Hope when there’s despair;

Love in low spaces,

His grace, everywhere.

All thanks be to God,

For each good gift known;

It’s given in love,

As His heart is shown.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Thank You that in You there are no shadows and that You do not change. Thank You that Your love and faithfulness remain the same forever, so we can always trust in You. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when life takes unanticipated turns. Teach us to trust You more, for You bless us with Your presence and Your peace as You love us through all things. Show us how to love those around us at all times, so that they may know the beauty of Your light, hope and love in all things. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and praise You for every good and perfect gift that comes from You, and for Your unchanging nature. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

So if you, who are sinful, know how to give your children good gifts, how much more so does your Father in heaven, who is perfect, know how to give great gifts to His children! – Matthew 7:11

Giver of Good

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

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from Him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. – (James 1:17, ERV)

Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. – (James 1:17, TPT)

 

Boy, what a whirlwind… I had a later start than anticipated to return home yesterday, but was graced with a smooth trip and moving traffic. There was only one spot on Blewett Pass, where the road was down to a single lane for both directions, that I had to wait for about fifteen minutes, before continuing my journey home. Upon arrival, I was enthusiastically greeted by my boys with enormous hugs, and we quickly set to work to get organized and packed, so that they could be certain that they had everything necessary for their trip. By the time both boys were organized and packed, Mark had returned home from work. After giving him a few minutes of down time following his long commute, the four of us went to our favorite sushi place in town for dinner together. My momma heart was full, as I was surrounded by my guys. We enjoyed a great dinner, and then made a quick store run for a few items that were still needed for packing. As we were returning home, my best friend and I had messaged one another, and Mark and I ended up heading to their home (a few blocks away) for a quick visit. All was well, and it was wonderful to catch up. I had a moment though, as I finally heard back about the drop-off time for the boys (that I thought was either 8:30 or 9 am), only to discover that they were not expected to the base for loading and departure until 6:00 pm! Knowing the impossibility of the timing, I began attempting to problem solve. Thankfully, Jeff, Robin’s husband, offered to take the boys for me, knowing that I would be unable to stay that late into the evening. Waves of grief flooded me as we drove home, and by the time we were in the safety of our own room for the night, I was inconsolable. The weight of grief gripped my heart so heavily that it was hard to breathe. Mark just held me and offered comfort, and I had to ride it out. Once the weight had subsided, I was able to relax a bit and attempt to sleep. Though restless, I did sleep, and when I woke this morning, I discovered fresh resolve. After sleep, I cannot help but see that God is providing me more time with my boys. With an early departure, the boys would have been dropped off in the morning, and that would have been it. Now, they will have the opportunity to sleep in, I can run some errands and run with Ashley, and then take my boys to lunch and really visit with them some more, prior to my return to Wenatchee. Yes, I am a bit gutted to not actually drop them off for departure, yet I have to fix my eyes on the gift that has been given. Time together has been my greatest struggle over the last many months, as I have been in Wenatchee with mom, and here I am receiving the precious gift of more time. Plans change, expectations change, but God, in His infinite wisdom, does not. He knows what we need, and He loves us enough to grant us gifts that we sometimes don’t even recognize, until we step back and see them for what they truly are. He is good, and I am grateful.

As for mom, she is having a marvelous time of catching up with lifelong friends. Karin and Bill are treasures, and I do not think the visiting stopped from the time they arrived, until everyone called it a night. The two of them took mom out for a coffee date at Starbucks, and she had an incredible time and thoroughly enjoyed visiting sharing life together. All was well each time I checked in with Karin, and I am able to fully engage in my time at home, knowing mom is in loving, capable hands. Yet another incredible gift, as the two of them made my being here to help my boys prepare to go, possible. May we ever give thanks to the Father of Lights, for He is the giver of all good things.

 

Every good gift,

Comes down from above;

Treasures from heaven,

Given in God’s love.

Our expectations,

May appear not met;

Our God, in His grace,

Has more for us yet.

For the gifts God gives,

Always they are good;

His ways are higher,

Outcome’s understood.

So, let us choose trust,

The Father of Lights;

Who’s always for us,

And in us, delights.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank You that though our circumstances and feelings change, You never change. Thank You that You are patient with us, and remain near, ever-loving and showing us how what we think is something to grieve, may actually be a blessing. Forgive us for our fear and frustration when we cannot see the good in the twists and turns that life takes. Teach us to trust You more, as You use all things for good for those who love You, and You love to bless Your children with good gifts. Show us how to slow down and look for the good in whatever comes our way. Lead us to love those around us in a way that extends Your goodness and light to the spaces it is missing. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, our Giver of every good gift, who remains the same forever. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

Where Good Comes From

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts shifting shadows. – (James 1:17, NLT)

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from Him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. – (James 1:17, ERV)

Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows. – (James 1:17, VOICE)

 

All that is good, all that is lovely, all that is worthy of praise, exists because God gives. The trials and troubles that come are not given by God, but rather occur because sin, brokenness, and free will are part of our reality. Even in the midst of our struggles, God is still good, and remains present with us. As the days grow longer, it is a tangible reminder that He is the Father of lights. He times the sun to rise and set, and paints brilliant colors in the process. On dreary days, light still appears, and then darkness returns at day’s end. Just as the coming of a new day is consistent, so too is our God. He doesn’t take time off, nor does He neglect the cries of His people. When we call on Him, He hears. May we ever give praise for every good and perfect gift that comes from God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

 

Every good gift,

That comes from above;

Is given to us,

In God’s perfect love.

The Father of lights,

Continues to show;

How faithful His love,

So our hearts may know.

He never changes,

His love shall remain;

All good gifts from God,

Our hope to now claim.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Thank You that You are the Father of lights, and that You do not change nor try to trick us like the light of shifting shadows. Forgive us for forgetting how very faithful and consistent You are. Teach us to give You thanks for every good gift, and to seek Your help in times of trouble. Show us how to love well, all those whom You place in our lives. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we appreciate every good and perfect gift from You, and seek You in all things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

Shifting Shadows

There are days where darkness and dissent seem to dominate every media display, and the very same mood is mirrored in the hearts of many whom I encounter.  However, there are times when light seems to seep in.  It finds way to work into the hearts of even those seemingly dominated by darkness; and grace, gratitude and love, begin to pour out of a place of thankfulness, by seemingly all who surround me.

This Christmas season, has been a beautiful observation of shadows shifting into light.  On Facebook alone, my feed transformed from controversial media topics to photos of families and blessings that had been bestowed upon those I hold dear.  What a wonder to watch, as even all these years later, I was able to see Christ come near.

My heart is full, and I am again reminded that His love is great, and His faithfulness endures for all time.  The following Psalm that I read this morning, captures well, my sentiment for the season:

“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.  For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord.” – (Psalm 117)

Where darkness dwells,

He shines His light;

dispelling fear,

dissent’s delight.

For Christ did come,

so we might know;

His love and grace,

peace He bestows.

More than Christmas,

or once a year;

for God with us,

is always here.

Seek Him always,

and you will find;

His love and grace,

for all mankind.

Give praise to Him,

for He endures;

our Prince of Peace,

and hope secure.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You came near so that we might know You, personally.  Thank You that Your nearness is not limited to a day nor a season, but rather is available at all times for all who call on Your Name.  Forgive us for not keeping our focus as fine-tuned as we ought to every day of the year, and help us to keep the beauty, wonder and awe of Christmas in our hearts throughout the year.  Help us to praise You forever, for You are great and faithful, and forever worthy of all of our praise.  May we love as You love us, and may many come to know You as their Savior and King.  Praise You, Lord.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.