The little girl was perched on the couch beside her Daddy. In her lap was a gift, a beautiful box tied with a perfect pink bow. The girl sat for a moment and stared at the present with shining eyes.

“Is this really for me?” she finally asked, her voice trembling with excitement.

“Yes, it’s for you.”

“But Daddy, it’s not even my birthday!”

“I know,” her father replied. “But I wanted to give you something special because I love you so much.”

As he watched his daughter hold her gift, the father’s heart swelled. He loved how her blonde hair naturally curled inwards on one side and flipped outwards on the other side. He loved the slight upturn of her nose. He loved the little wrinkle that appeared in her forehead when she frowned and the hint of a dimple that appeared in her cheek when she smiled. His girl was so very beautiful.

But she wasn’t just beautiful on the outside. Oh no. She was fun and smart and sweet and adventurous and talented – everything that a father could ever desire his daughter to be. Yes, as he sat there with his little girl, the father’s heart was full. Oh how he loved her!

“Go ahead. Open your present!” he urged. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she peeked inside.

Slowly, carefully, the girl untied the bow. As she lifted the lid off the box, her breath caught in her throat.

That little girl is me. And do you know what my heavenly Daddy gave me? Sunny-day picnics with my girls at the park. Beautiful pink and white blossoms on the trees. A snuggly baby with a big dimply smile. The early morning pitter-patter of  little feet in the hallway followed by a cheerful “Hi Mommy! Evewyn awake!” Bright red tulips in the garden. A century home full of dark wood floors, thick wood trim, crystal door knobs, and loads of laughter. On and on it goes. Delight after delight after delight!

You see, the simple things in life are the sweetest. And it’s through these things that God lavishes His incredible love on us.

Now it’s your turn. Try to imagine this.

You are perched on the couch beside our Daddy. In your lap is a gift, a beautiful box tied with a perfect, brightly coloured bow. You sit for a moment and stare at the present with shining eyes.

“Is this really for me?” you finally ask, your voice trembling with excitement.

“Yes, it’s for you.”

“But Daddy, it’s not even my birthday!”

“I know,” He replies. “But I wanted to give you something special because I love you so much.”

As He watches you hold your gift, the Father’s heart swells. You are so very beautiful! Every part of you is perfectly formed! But you’re not just beautiful on the outside. Oh no. You are fun and smart and sweet and talented – everything that your Father has desired you to be. He has created you just right!

Yes, as He watches you, the Father’s heart is full. Oh how He loves you!

“Go ahead. Open your present!” He urges. He can’t wait to see your face when you look inside.

Slowly, carefully, you untie the bow and lift the lid off the box.

What gifts has God given you today?