The Good Gift Correction
- mlcrendon
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 30
How God Gently Corrected My View of Him!
When our daughters were small, we were shopping in a department store. As we drifted through the accessories section, our youngest asked me to buy her a pair of pink sunglasses. They had vibrant frames and tinted lenses. I replied with a gentle but firm no. It was not something she needed, and it wasn't her birthday. I turned to look for some pajamas, as this was on our list of needed items. They had long outgrown their clothes, with the leg lengths looking more like shorts. I picked out two sets and headed toward the cashier.
Our daughters were standing there beside the counter, clutching a bag and each wearing a pair of glasses. "Daddy bought them for us," one said with delight, and they both skipped over to the store mirror to pose with their reflections, giggling excitedly.
It was a classic parenting situation: one parent says no, and the child tries the other. We usually partnered together to avoid this scenario, but the pajamas had disrupted our usual connection.
I truthfully felt annoyed. Hot tears stung my eyes as I ducked behind a clothes rack to recover from my indignation. As I struggled to regain my composure, I heard a whisper from the Holy Spirit:
"I love to give good gifts to my children." (How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11)
"This isn't a good gift," my heart protested. "It's indulgence."
Suddenly, I became aware of a hidden jealousy. Their dad just loved to bless them, and in fact, it brought him even more joy to do so.
My heart and my head were suddenly at war!
"Gifts are not always needs; sometimes they are just my pleasure and delight." (God!)
What a correction!
My childish reaction revealed a misconception about the Father's heart.
I had no concept, experience, or frame of reference for being my Father's delight. This wasn't about the "no" or undermining my parenting; it was an open lesson for a profound perspective shift and an invitation into the lavish love of God.
An Invitation to See Clearly
Since that moment, there have been many opportunities and situations where I have felt God's love and delight over me, our family, our dreams, and the work of our hands.
Some of His gifts have been simple ways of sharing the day and meeting me in the ordinary, while others have felt extravagant; for example, the day we viewed a house that was twice our budget, and yet God somehow moved things so we could buy it for half its original price.
We even came home with the door keys in our hands without even paying! He was absolutely laughing out loud with joy and satisfaction, in the same way he laughed and loved over my daughter's pink sunglasses.
From Limitation to Clarity
Looking back, I can see that God was not correcting me because He was displeased or disappointed. He was correcting me because He wanted me to know Him accurately. My version was far from the truth and limited my ability to experience and enjoy the beauty of His generosity and sense of humour!
My perspective shifted, so did my understanding of His heart. I learned that God is not cautious with His goodness nor reluctant in His generosity; He delights in loving His children well.
Now I try to ask Him a new question: What do you want me to see differently about your character today?
When your perspective is correctly aligned, your prayers are too!
🌿Reflection Questions:
Where might your view of God be too small, cautious, or fearful rather than generous and trusting?
Can you recall a time when God corrected your perspective—not your behaviour—and what you learned about Him through that experience?
How do you usually respond when God challenges your assumptions or expectations of Him? With resistance, curiosity, or surrender?
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