“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 a shifting shadow.”-James 1:17

How valuable it is for us to regularly take stock of the many good and perfect gifts we’ve been given. How invaluable to remember where every good and perfect gift comes from! For all that is good and perfect is from God. FROM GOD! Let's not miss or forget this. And God is good (Psalm 34:8, John 10:11)! He’s not only good, but He is also the creator of all things (Psalm 89:11), including every good gift we receive. Have you taken time recently to recognize that God is good and all He gives is ultimately for our good?

Psalm 119:68 says, “You are good and do only good; teach me Your decrees.” The Psalmist acknowledged God’s goodness, then asked God to instruct him in His ways. May we too remember again that God is good and ALL He gives is good! H.B. Charles Jr. wisely put it this way: “Everything God gives is good. His plans are good. His providence is good. His provisions are good. His protection is good. His patience is good. His pardon is good.” Isn’t that true?! All He does is good, including giving us gifts that may not at first seem like gifts (trials, difficulties, perplexities, etc.), yet they are so good for us.

What are some good and perfect gifts God has given us? Here are some things that come to mind: our spouses, kids, church families, friends, jobs, His beautiful creation, pets, coffee, taste, smell, sight, music, laughter, tears, tribulations, provisions, testings, forgiveness of sins thru Jesus...we could go on and on. His good gifts are countless! Let’s not miss them or ignore them.

May we all take some intentional extra time this summer to praise and thank God for His goodness and that He gives us so many good gifts. Take some slow walks while giving thanks to God. Sit next to a lake, a river, the ocean, a pool - and express to God your gratitude. Allow yourself time to ponder once again, or for the first time, just how good God is. He is so good. He gives all that is good. “How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!”-Psalm 116:5

Cheer up, friends!

-Scott