Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow. Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
–James 1:16-18

Bonnie had just said good-bye to her renter when a friend advised her of someone looking for housing.

“I’ll wait for her to talk to me because I need some time alone,” thought Bonnie.

Then another friend told her about the same person desperately looking for a place to live.

“It’s not my problem,” Bonnie mused. “I’m not going to approach her.”

But she couldn’t forget the woman’s need.

Finally, she challenged God. “If You bring her face to face with me, I’ll invite her to come live with me.”

“I’m safe now,” she thought. “I hardly ever see this woman!”

But that week in church, the woman came straight to her pew and sat down beside her! When Bonnie called her the next day, the woman burst into tears of gratitude. That evening she moved in.

As they shared kitchen space and learned more about each other, they quickly became friends. And what a blessing that was when a few weeks later, the Corona virus shut the country down. Together they found companionship in what could have been a very lonely vigil.

Bonnie’s new friend was one of those good and perfect gifts from God that she had almost missed!

Prayer

Dear God, I don’t want to be so short-sighted that I fail to see all You do for me. Please make me aware every day of Your gifts. Thank You for Your goodness and generosity. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Reflection

What gifts from God can I thank Him for right now?