Daily Devotional for June 19, 2022
Good Gifts
Cruising into the driveway on her bike, Zoey waved at her dad. “I love my new bike!” she exclaimed as she hopped off. “I never really thought I’d get such a great gift for my birthday!” She gave her dad a hug. “Dad, you’re the best! You knew just what I wanted. It’s even the perfect color!”
Dad chuckled. “I know how to take a hint. How many times did I hear you talk about the cool bike you found online? And aren’t you the one who left a picture of that very bike taped to my bathroom mirror? I believe you even circled the color you preferred.”
Zoey laughed. “I guess I was pretty obvious. I assumed you wouldn’t know what I wanted unless I told you. Besides, I figured it never hurts to ask.”
“Well, I’m glad I could give you what you asked for,” said Dad. “But what if you had asked for a new car? Do you think I’d have gotten that for you?”
“No way! I’m not even old enough to drive yet.”
“You’re right. I love you, Zoey, but I won’t always give you everything you ask for,” Dad said. “Neither will God. I know how disappointed you were when you weren’t chosen to be on the gymnastics team, especially since you had prayed about it.”
“I know, and I still don’t understand why God said no,” Zoey replied. “I really wanted that spot on the team.”
“Because I’m your father and I love you, I’ll only give you those gifts I believe are best for you,” Dad told her. “God—your heavenly Father—loves you and gives good gifts too. When He doesn’t answer your prayer exactly the way you ask Him to, it’s because He knows something else is better for you.”
“I guess I’m learning that.” Zoey sighed. “I sure have a lot to learn, don’t I?”
“We all do,” said Dad. “I find it helps me to remember that God has already given us the best gift of all. Jesus died for us so we could become God’s children, and He wants us to bring our requests to Him in prayer. He may not answer them all the way we ask, but we can trust Him to do what’s best, because God loves to give His children good gifts!”
-Brenda Decker
How about you?
Do you sometimes wonder why God doesn’t give you what you ask for? When that happens, do you feel like you might as well not pray at all? Remember that God loves you and knows what’s best for you. He wants you to come to Him with your requests, but that doesn’t mean He’ll always give you what you want. Even when you don’t understand His reasons, trust Him. He loves to give good gifts!
Thank you for reading this Keys for Kids devotional! Did you enjoy the story? Has Keys for Kids been an encouragement to you and your family? If so, would you please consider supporting Keys For Kids Ministries in our effort to continue to provide these daily devotionals to children around the world?