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What a Wonderful World!

Our two oldest sons celebrate their birthdays just a few weeks after Christmas. They were born two years and two days apart in January, and as children experienced what I like to call "embarrassing abundance"! They had Tonka trucks, Care Bears, owned more videos than our local video store and had enough books to last until college. My house honestly bore a striking resemblance to Toys 'R Us!

Early in February, just days after their prolific birthdays, my future men of God were bored and tired. Their brotherly kindness turned into a full-blown feud that would have made the Hatfields and McCoys hoot with glee.

I spoke out of my inexperience and said, "I have given you the world! What will make you happy?"

Christopher looked up at me from a shock of blonde hair and said with tears in his big blue eyes, "You make me happy, Mama."

We are victims of "embarrassing abundance" as well. "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy!" I Timothy 6:17

The secret is to focus on the Giver ... not on the gift ... to magnify the Creator not the creation. He has given us richly all things to enjoy and it is truly His joy to bless us.

But, sometimes I wonder if God ever wants to say to us, "I have given you the world! What will make you happy?" I hope that your response will always be heartfelt and quick, "You make me happy, God."