I love gifts! I enjoy giving gifts, and I appreciate receiving a gift I know was thoughtfully selected. For many years, I have watched closely for God’s good gifts, which I receive in a variety of unique and unexpected ways. In today’s post, I discuss some good gifts my soul has received in the past few weeks. I hope you’ll enjoy thoughts and photos and be inspired to consider good gifts you have received.

The Good Gift of Kindness

A beautiful bee on this echinacea flower outside the World Trade Center reminds me to “Bee” kind to one another!

The older I grow in age, the more I appreciate the powerful combination of kindness, that’s coupled with consistent, constructive, and gentle discipline.

Our recent getaway to NYC was during the busy Fourth of July travel time. Lots of families with little babies, impatient toddlers, and fidgety kids were on our jam-packed flights. Repeatedly, I was impressed by undoubtedly stressed-out, sleep deprived parents who spoke caringly, paced patiently, and acted gently while managing their children’s behavior.

Many have been raised in authoritarian, critical, or dismissive environments which hurt their child-hearts. That type of discipline often carries over into the way we perceive God’s correction. Hebrews 12:10 says, “God disciplines those He loves.” I resisted these words until I realized—oftentimes through experience—that God’s discipline is perfect because God loves me unconditionally, knows my heart intimately, and understands my design completely.

Observing the kindness of parents toward their children earlier this month was a good gift reminding me of a very good God!

The Good Gift of Generosity

Wise words of the ancient Roman poet Virgil (“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.”) hang on a large wall in the 9-11 Memorial & Museum. The letters were forged from steel recovered from the World Trade Center.

The older lady sitting next to me was weary of the multiple travel hiccups we’d experienced. Adding to the inconvenience, our pilot had just announced he received orders to turn the plane around and land in Chicago instead of going to Laguardia. His only assurance to the passengers was the airlines would do the best they could to get us to New York!

Between sporadic announcements, the lady and I visited. She expressed concern about the inconvenience this would cause her family in Long Island who were picking her up. We talked about family, and I pointed out my husband and grandson a few seats in front of us. She enjoyed hearing about our upcoming family adventure to the city where she had grown up.

I commented I was fascinated by the title of a book she was reading. She explained it was given to her by her church, and she would be happy to pass it on to me when she finished reading it. I assured her I appreciated her thoughtfulness, but the gesture was unnecessary. That was the last time we spoke.

Disembarking in Chicago to a terminal packed with passengers, Ron, Reeve, and I headed out almost immediately to find someplace to eat. A few hours later, the pilot was given the go-ahead to fly into Laguardia. Boarding the plane before we did, the lady spotted Ron, gave the book to him, and asked him to give it to me.

I don’t know this woman’s name nor how to thank her, but as I recall her generosity, I am praying she will experience the words of Proverbs 11:25: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

The Good Gift of Integrity

Stories of men and women who were filled with integrity abounded at the 9-11 Memorial & Museum. This fire truck represents not only unspeakable horror but also unimaginable courage and commitment to doing the “right thing.”

My husband was the intended recipient of this good gift, but it touched me. After making a couple stops, Ron had parked the car in our garage before he remembered to remove the paper attached underneath the windshield wiper.

“Look at this,” he said, handing me a ragged piece of paper on which someone scrawled: “I’m so sorry. I spilled my smoothie all over your car. Here’s something so you can get a car wash!” Wrapped in the note were three $5 bills.

One definition of integrity is doing the right thing even when no one sees and knows what you did. The person who left this note and money exemplifies that definition, and I wish I could meet him or her! Since that probably won’t happen, I offer up this prayer:

Lord,

You know who left the note on our car, the one who acted with integrity.

Bless this person, I ask, in a way that will encourage him or her.

Thank you for this good gift and help me learn from this example!

Amen

Finally, The Very Good Gift of New Life

I wonder if there’s a better gift than becoming a grandparent!

Today, I’ve asked Stephen Robinson, my Listening on the Journey … web manager, frequent guest contributor, and friend, to introduce his firstborn grandson.

Last Tuesday 07/08/2025, our oldest daughter and her husband made us first time grandparents. We are thankful for a happy, healthy grandson. I’d like to introduce you to Uriah Elliot Curson.

Meet Uriah Eliot Curson just a few hours old.

Look for Good Gifts!

Exploration, Inconvenience, and Alignment NYC Style