Something I have noticed over the years has always puzzled me.
People love talking about God after He has done something for them.
A man gets a promotion and immediately stands up in church and says, "Praise God, He gave me a better job."
A woman recovers from illness and tells everyone, "God healed me."
Someone receives unexpected money, passes an examination, finds a house, escapes an accident, or sees a prayer answered, and rightly gives testimony to God's goodness.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
In fact, gratitude is one of the most beautiful qualities a person can possess.
But I have often wondered why we so rarely hear people speak about God simply because they love Him.
Not because He gave them something.
Not because He solved a problem.
Not because He rescued them from a crisis.
Just because He is their Father.
Imagine meeting a friend who says, "My dad is wonderful. Last week he bought me a new phone."
The next week he says, "My dad is fantastic. He paid for my holiday."
A month later he announces, "My dad is amazing. He bought me a motorcycle."
After a while you might ask, "Apart from the gifts, what do you actually think about your father?"
Does he talk to you?
Does he guide you?
Does he encourage you?
Does he make you laugh?
Do you enjoy being with him?
The greatest gift of a father is often not what he puts into your hand, but what he puts into your heart.
That is what makes a relationship precious.
And surely the same is true of God.
Some of the most wonderful moments in my life have not been when prayers were answered.
They have been those quiet moments when I simply sensed His presence.
Moments when I felt His peace in confusion.
Moments when a Bible verse seemed written specially for me.
Moments when I felt Him whispering wisdom into my heart.
Moments when I knew I was not walking alone.
The Psalmist understood this beautifully when he wrote, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You." Psalm 73:25.
Notice that he did not say, "What have I in heaven?"
He said, "Whom have I."
The focus was on the relationship, not the rewards.
Perhaps we should spend a little less time talking about God's gifts and a little more time talking about God Himself.
After all, long after the gifts have faded, the relationship remains.
And that relationship with our Heavenly Father is the greatest blessing of all, and something we shout and tell the world about, right?
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
