As a kid I had it good. Most of the other kids at school would go around saying I was a rich kid. I never saw it like that until I was much older. The reason they said that was because my father owned his own jewelry store. They would go on about how I would go home and play in oodles of gold and diamonds! I remember not ever worrying about food on the table, clothes to wear, a warm, comfy bed to sleep in, cool a/c in the summer and heat in the winter.

     The reality was we didn’t lack for anything because my father worked long hard hours to provide for me and the whole family. I had no worries. I knew a peace that came from trusting my father to provide everything I needed and even sometimes what I wanted. So often I hear kids wishing they could grow up so they can do whatever they want. Now that I’m older there are days I wish I could go back and really enjoy those carefree younger days. No bills to worry about. All my needs taken care of.

     So what a huge surprise when I discovered that I could have that feeling of peace in Jesus! It turns out I can indeed have that kind of peace and even greater by simply putting my wholehearted trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior. Through faith in him I can completely rest that my Heavenly Father is going to provide for all my needs and yes, even many of my wants. He has promised to grant me the desires of my heart when I take delight in him.

     Most importantly, it is his daily presence in my life that gives me the assurance that everything will turn out all right because he is with me. His gift of peace to me is himself! If I have him, I have everything that I will ever need because my Heavenly Father is rich beyond description and I am his child. It turns out he paved the roads in heaven with gold! Wow!

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