Good and Perfect Gift

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

The word translated “perfect” in this verse is the Greek Teleios, used to describe something that has achieved or reached its goal, objective, or purpose.  When I read that this morning my mind went to Kyson, my unborn baby who never made it to what we would consider perfection or completion here on earth.  A miscarriage is far from what most people would call a perfect gift.  Losing a baby is heart breaking and leaves a void.  Yet, it can be looked at in a different light.  The child, made in God’s image, knit together in my womb for a time, the child I watched on the ultrasound screen jump, reach out his arms, open his hand and show me his finger, open his precious little mouth, the child I saw life within, the tiny flickering of a heart beat, that child is a gift.  Oh, but how can I come to the place to call a deceased child a good and perfect gift?  Only by the grace of Jesus!  A perfect gift, having achieved or reached its goal, objective, or purpose…  This child’s purpose was to live in my womb for three months and then spend eternity bringing praise to the Savior in heaven.  I was chosen to be this child’s mother, not for a few months, but for eternity.  It is only in this light, the light of knowing that my child, the fruit of the love between my husband and me, is before the very throne of God, beholds His glory, brings praise to His name for all eternity, only in that light that I see that this child is a good and perfect gift.  We are not promised a tear-free, pain-free life; actually we are promised that there will be trials, but that doesn’t mean that the trials cannot bring gifts.  These gifts are from the Father of lights.  He in Himself is good.  He is love.  He does not change.  So while it may be hard to be thankful for the miscarriage, I am thankful for my child.  My child is now completely perfect and beholds the majesty of Perfection.  Someday I will partake of this perfection as well, and today I will be grateful for the gifts of each of my children, Luke, Hope, Lydia, Timothy and Kyson, my three that I am blessed to hold today, physically love, and those two that are held by the Father and loved in my heart.