Good Gifts

No stomach growls today!  My body was tired, though.  I packed tonight and hauled some things out to my vehicle...and they seemed much heavier on the way out than on the way in.

But part of that is due to the fact that when I travel, I enjoy buying my children small gifts. 

Stopping into gifts and souvenir shops to look for the perfect item for each child makes me feel closer to them.  It is a time to consider each of my children and the things they like or collect.  I look forward to surprising them and letting them know that I thought of them while I was gone.

This time I found some of the old standbys.  One of my kids collects pins, so she's easy to please.  She has no idea how much time I spend debating between the varieties.  They are all displayed on a canvas bag to remind her of the places we have visited. 

The other ones are a bit tougher.  My oldest son and his wife like unique things, so I was thrilled to find them something right on campus that was a Fair Trade item made in India.  My youngest son will get a kick out of his harmonica and my youngest daughter will be thrilled with her pretty heart necklace that were both purchased at the Grand Ole Opry.

My husband, although he requested a new leather motorcycle jacket, will have to settle for a small genuine Louisville Slugger bat that I received with my tour of their factory.

With these things on my mind, I was surprised today in class when my professor told a similar story and quoted a familiar verse that I was able to see in a new light.  (Thank you for the inspiration, Dr. Johnson!)

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  --Matthew 7:11

I hope you are asking.  Daily.