A few years ago I bought a pocket knife with my son’s name etched on the side.  He was too young for a knife then but I bought it because I knew he’d love it some day.  From the moment I bought it, I’ve longed to give it to him but he just wasn’t ready for it.  At some point, he started asking me if he could have a pocket knife.  He didn’t know that I already had one picked out with his name on it just waiting in my top drawer.

This morning, I finally gave him his knife.  Honestly, he’s not completely ready for it but I think that having it will actually help him to rise to the occasion.  He was overjoyed when I gave it to him.  I made him promise to show me how ready he is for a knife by how he handles it.

This whole thing has reminded me so much of my relationship with the Lord.  Often, I think I’m waiting on Him to give me something but the reality is that He’s waiting on me.  He has a warehouse filled to capacity with whatever I might need.  He’s waiting on me to be ready.  He’s waiting on me to get to the point where I won’t hurt myself or others with the gift He longs to give me.  He has the gift with my name on it just waiting on me.

I also think that God gives me stuff just slightly before I’m completely ready for it to stretch and grow me.  I so appreciate His confidence in me and the trust He puts in me and it makes me want to make Him proud.

Lord, help me to be faithful in the small things so that I might receive the big things that You long to entrust to me.  Thank you for being the perfect father with perfect timing and thank you, most of all, for loving me enough to withhold things until I’m ready.