God is Better than Santa

At one of many Christmas parties this past season, I heard a great story told by a local Preschool teacher. One of their end-of-year activities was to write letters to Santa asking for what they wanted for Christmas. A new Cinderella doll… A puppy dog to play with. The teacher modelled the exercise by writing her own Christmas letter... “Dear Santa, for Christmas I would like a beautiful diamond ring.” They signed off their letters, drew pictures of their gifts and carefully pinned them to the display wall for all to see.

On the final day of Preschool, one of the parents presented a small parcel to the teacher in appreciation for all her hard work and dedication. The teacher thanked the mother, happy to add another gift to her growing pile of chocolates and body lotions. But this gift was unlike the others. It shocked her to the core. There in the carefully wrapped box was a diamond ring, a perfect gold-set solitaire of the highest quality. 'Santa' had granted her wish!

The story got me thinking. The teacher received because she asked. If she had not asked, there would be no diamond ring gracing her finger.

It reminded me of one of Jesus’ more radical statements. “You do not have, because you do not ask God…” (James 4:2)

He gives us what we ask for. Why? Simply because that’s what loving fathers do. Ask any parent. Knowing their child’s heart, they search the department stores for the right gift; the one thing that will make their child’s face light up with joy. How much more the Father-heart of God?

Last year I asked God if I could have more outdoor adventures. Not long after I was paid to go skiing and hiking. At 17 I asked God if I could return to Switzerland one day. Years later, it was the scene of my first ministry trip. More recently I asked God if I could have a home with a bay window. The next day a friend received a prophetic dream of my future home. The key feature: a bay window.

The only qualifier to this outlandish statement of Jesus’ is that we ask with the right motives (James 4:3). So… is my heart aligned to kingdom purpose? Am I willing to use my gifts to bless others? Am I open to him saying 'no' or 'wait' for reasons that are for good, even if I don’t know what they are right now?

So with our motives in place, ASK away!!! As we begin a new year; as we dream and plan for 2010, I encourage you… Dig deep into your imagination, search the pool of your desires and ask! Ask your loving Father for what you need… and for what you want. God is so much better than Santa.