The writers of Encouraging.com are celebrating their fifteen year landmark by making their 365 daily devotional book, God Moments, available as a free digital download! A total of thirty-six GABC writers have faithfully captured “moments of God’s presence” in their lives to encourage your own spiritual journey. You can find God Moments on amazon.com, iTunes, and BarnesandNoble.com.


NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



Every Good Gift

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


The steep road I walked regularly for exercise challenged my entire being. It would be so easy to quit and turn around. Just keep looking ahead to the crest where I can catch my breath.

Blink.

A mature doe gracefully bounded out from the dense woods onto the road several feet in front of me. Exquisite.

Blink.

In a flash she vanished into the woods on the other side. Gone—as if she had been a delicate ballerina prancing across a stage from one curtain to the other. I lost my breath, more from her beauty, than from the difficult incline I labored to climb. Thank You, Lord.

She was a gift from God to me to assure me that He was present and real in the turmoil of my heart. I faced what seemed an insurmountable assignment over the next several days. My heavenly Father knew, through my tearful pleas, how desperate I was for a speck of encouragement. Mentally, I thought:  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). Emotionally, I was still burdened and in despair—until this precious gift of love was bestowed on me. Grace.

How easily it would have been to miss the gift of encouragement that God had provided—for my eyes only—in that moment. But He often speaks to me through His creation. God knows what each of us needs at any given moment. For me, He shows up in nature. How does he make Himself known in your life? Besides His living Word, how does God speak to your heart?

Neither my feet nor my heart felt as heavy after my brief encounter with God’s gift in the form of a deer. I felt encouraged to keep walking.

Creator God, You give all good gifts, perfectly chosen and timed. Thank You for manifesting Yourself to suit each of us.

Karen Sims

No comments: