I didn’t expect the bear hug I received from my 10-year-old son last week. “You’re the best mom ever!” he said.

I’d just given him an unexpected gift — season passes to a Six Flags amusement park. 

Now, I’m not so naïve to think I’m the best mom ever. I just have to wait for his bedtime to know that. Or wait until the next time I have to take away his phone for some reason. Or ask him to clean up his mess for a third time.

But for a moment, I was the best mom ever. And it felt really good to be loved and appreciated.

There’s a bigger lesson here, however. 

As I think about my son’s reaction to receiving his gift, Jesus’s teaching about good gifts comes to mind.

The Best Dad Ever

In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus says, 

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Our Heavenly Father has given and still gives us unimaginably good gifts — so much better than season passes to Six Flags. He sent His only Son to die in our place so that we could live with Him forever, should we accept that precious gift.

How do we respond to that? Do we tell God He’s the best Dad ever? 

One of the first things my son did was tell his best friend about the season pass. He was excited and wanted to share the news. Do we do that? Are we so excited about what God has given us that we want to share the Good News?

I encourage you to take a moment to think about what our Father has given us. Not only the most precious gift of Jesus, but everyday moments of grace, provision, and love. And don’t be afraid to ask Him for gifts! He will deliver in ways that we never could.

He’s the best Father ever.

Nancy Flory, Ph.D., is a senior editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.