The Best Gift by B J Bassett

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 RSV

My parents made Christmas very special for my brother and me. One year when I was about six or seven, my parents gave me a doll. Mama was an expert seamstress, and she made all the doll clothes for it.

On my eighth Christmas, I received another extraordinary gift. For several weeks before Christmas, my dad would go out to the garage for hours at a time. Then on Christmas morning, under the lighted tree was a dollhouse. It was unlike any I had ever seen. He made it just like the two-bedroom home in which we lived. All the rooms were painted the same as the rooms in our house. Mama made curtains to adorn the windows and taped a picture of my dad on the wall.

It was a beautiful dollhouse. And I know that Dad made it because he loved me. I was fortunate to have earthly parents that loved me so much.

Our Heavenly Father loves us. He loves us so much that He gave us the very best gift He had, His only Son.

There is no greater love.

Dear Father, I thank You for giving me loving earthly parents. And thank You for Your gift of Jesus. Amen.

Reprinted from The King’s Daughters - available now

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.