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?
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Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
If only we can have the attitude of Habakuk 3:17
“The greatest gift of a father is often not what he puts into your hand, but what he puts into your heart.”
What a profound quote this makes!
Thank you for another beautiful, heart warming, article.
Such a beautiful reminder that our greatest treasure is not merely God’s blessings, but God Himself. A true relationship with Him goes beyond answered prayers — it is about loving Him for who He is.
Beautiful reflection, Bob.
Your article reminds us that true faith is not built merely on God’s gifts, but on God’s presence. Many people seek His hand, but the deepest believers seek His heart.
As the Bible says:
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)
And again:
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
The greatest testimony is not that God answered a prayer, healed a sickness, or opened a door, but that we continue to love Him even when life is quiet and no miracle is visible.
Like Mary of Bethany, who simply sat at Jesus’ feet, we too are called to enjoy His presence before seeking His blessings. Relationship always comes before rewards.
Your words beautifully echo the heart of King David:
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” (Psalm 27:4)
May we never reduce God to a giver of gifts. He is our Father, our Friend, our Shepherd, and our Eternal Companion. The gifts may come and go, but His love remains forever.
Thank you for this timely reminder. The greatest blessing is not what God places in our hands, but the assurance that He walks beside us every step of life’s journey.
God bless you and keep inspiring others through these thoughtful reflections.
Bob, I feel the ‘finger ‘ of God guiding me, provided I am obedient. Thanks for your timely article
Inspired and reminded. Beautiful reflection of how I’m grateful to God.Thank you Bob!🙏🏻😇
Blessed Sunday ✌️🕊️
Thank you for reminding us to seek after the giver¬ the gift.
So true.
Thank you for this wonderful article.
I pray to God morning as well 🙏🏻 in evening. I pray to God while having walking alone I pray to God whenever I feel any trouble. I pray to God before going to sleep. God has always been helping me every time I needed help. God helps me to bear losses avoiding being harmed by jealous people. God is my topmost priority. God I always seek your blessings 🙌
Awesome reflection Bro. Robert.
This reminds me to always seek the Lord’s face first not His hands.
Like the Psalmist says in Psalm 27:8 “When you said, seek my face,” My heart said to You, ” Your face, Lord, I will seek,”
Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore.”
Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame ”
Beautiful ! Praise be unto God who leads us daily.
A wonderful reminder that Our Father is always with us. Through all the seasons of our lives. I have felt HIS presence throughout the times when I have been a single parent as my husband was in the merchant navy.
” When I simply sensed His presence”
So true….
True Bob, It is realized and known individually this Relationship with God and may sound foolish to most ears if spoken out loud!
It’s like air you cant see it, Or hold it but it’s the one thing you can’t live without!
Speaking of Dad. This touched my heart. So often we dwell on the gifts and blessings from God than speak about our loving relationship with our heavenly Father. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article Bob. Worth sharing with many others.