STEP SIX

Remember Your Father’s Gifts

Read the verse in this step very carefully. It’s amazing. Read it again and again. The Bible says here that everything good in your life comes from God the Father. Even people who don’t believe in God experience his gifts and his kindness every day (Matthew 5:45). Whether we believe in him doesn’t change whether he exists, nor does it change whether he shows us kindness in this life—he just is kind, and can’t help showering us with goodness.

We express love by giving gifts. Receiving gifts often knits our hearts a little closer to the gift-giver. It might be easier to see that God loves you if you thoughtfully consider the gifts he has given to you. Now, don’t just think of stuff. Remember, the verse says everything good comes from God.

Eyesight is good, the colors outside are good, candy is good, swimming pools are good, friends are good, the ability to walk is good. There are an infinite number of things we could think of! God’s gifts to us have no limit.

BIBLE STUDY

James 1:17

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.

(English Standard Version)

ACTION STEP

Take Step Six

1. Think: How has God been good to you? What things do you enjoy? Put the hurt, the mess, the bad all aside. Choose to direct your attention to something else today. What makes you happy? What are your favorite things, people, places, experiences in life?
2. Make a list. The bigger the better. Write down all the gifts your Heavenly Father has given you.
3. Thank your Heavenly Father for each one. Try to see those good things as gifts, from him to you. Thank him for his love for you.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see your Father’s goodness more and more each day.