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

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  We live out in the boonies and as a result, I do a lot of online ordering, often using catalogs to find interesting items. Last April I ordered a cup from a company that I have admired for a long time. It was one of the purchases that I really didn’t need and was usually more than I wanted to spend but it was on sale. Incentive, right? After a couple of weeks, I received notice that the item was backordered and given a new Ship Date, 30 days later. I was in no hurry so I let it go.

However, each month I received the same notification pushing off the delivery date for another 30 days. The company was very good about sending me notices that I could cancel at any time but I continued to wait for my cup. Finally, earlier this month, one more email arrived and I decided I didn’t really need this cup. I replied that I was tired of waiting and to please cancel the order. They responded affirmatively.

Yesterday a box arrived from the company and my immediate reaction was, “Oh no, they have sent this to me and didn’t get my cancellation.” The box was heavily packaged and after digging through, I found a beautiful box, tied in with a ribbon, a card slipped under the bow. The card read, ” We are sorry you had to wait. Please accept this at NO CHARGE with our apologies. Customer Service.” Delighted, I began to open a box that had been carefully packed and found my beautiful cup.

It occurred to me that this company could have wrapped the cup in bubble wrap, stuffed it in a box of styrofoam peanuts and included a note on the bill. But, no, they sent it wrapped as if it was going to their prize customer.

Our Heavenly Father does the same thing for His beloved children. We may have a special request that we ask…and ask…and ask. We have a couple of options. We can choose to wait patiently, we can change the request, or we can forget it. I know that God does not want us to forget it because He already knows our heart. But He may be changing our focus. He may know what’s ahead that needs to happen first. He may be saying, “No.” The one thing I know is that He is not ignoring us or just making us wait because He can.

The lovely thing about God, is that He brings the answer at just the right time, often when we least expect it but really need it. Rather like the cup. It lifted my spirits when I needed a boost. God’s love is just like that. He knows exactly what we need, when we need it and loves to give gifts to His children.

Take a moment to thank Him for all the gifts that He showers on you — even when you may have given up.