Gifts Outside My Window

From my window, I saw the U.S. Postal Service truck as it was driving up the road, pausing at mail boxes.  It was Valentine’s Day, and I wondered what wonderful cards and letters of love that mail carrier was delivering.  I smiled to think of happy recipients who opened their mail to confirmations of someone’s heartfelt devotion. 

The prophets and apostles also wrote all kinds of love letters.  Moses told the people that God wanted them to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) and to “love the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)  David wrote psalms of love.  It was possibly Solomon who wrote an entire book about love.  Apostles like Paul and Peter sent love letters to people throughout the Middle East and parts of Europe.

Jesus, the Author of Love, had much to say on the subject.  And He, alone, offered the supreme Love Gift when He gave up His life, hung on a cross for peoples in all places and all times.  Because of His sacrificial Love, we know that Someone loves us on Valentine’s Day, and on every day throughout the year.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 

Perspective?

Have you ever done something innocently enough, to have it revealed in the light of a different perspective?  And do you know what usually sends me emotionally sprawling on my face?  My sponsor kids.

I sponsor a child in Africa.  I gave an extra $20 for her Christmas present last year, which I was feeling kinda bad about—I wished it could have been more.  I just received a “thank you” for what it purchased for her—a pair of shoes, and cloth.  (To be fair, when you give extra for Christmas, it goes into a “pool” and is distributed evenly among the children.  I feel that’s fair.)

But, anyway, this was her Christmas.  Shoes and cloth.  She and her mother are very poor, and I don’t know of any details of what all she receives other than this.  I only know the “thank-you’s” that come in the mail are only for those things that came indirectly from me.

Then I thought of ME in comparison to her. 

When I was her age (12), and would I have received shoes and cloth as a gift from someone, I can tell you what my reaction would have been.  I would have smiled and thanked the person (because that’s how my Mother taught me to behave) but, honestly, deep down, I WOULD have been very disappointed.  Especially when friends would have been telling me about presents they received, which I know I would have thought were so much better.  More “cool.”

Then I thought about her again.  You know, to her that gift may have been everything!  Her thanks may have been an expression of sincere love and honest appreciation.

Has living in America dulled my sense of appreciation?  I grew up and didn’t really know “need.”  I had a place to live, food to eat, an education, clothes….and, though money was an issue, I always had some of my “wants” met. 

What does this say about our society?  Surely, I’m not the only one to realize that something had died deep within…until Jesus sent me a little girl in Africa who helped open my eyes.

Quiet Time

The hour is late so I can see little more than darkness beyond my windows.  I hear the dishwasher running…the hum of the computer…I hear Mia breathing as she is sleeping with her nose buried into the dog blanket on the floor.  (She sounds like Darth Vader when she does this!)

I like this time of night.  It gives me a chance to gear down before going to bed.  Maybe I will go through my mail.  Or make a cup of Chamomile tea.  Finish reading the chapter in my book.  Write a little.  Or just be introspective and listen to the quiet.  Talk with God.  This is also a good time to hear Him talk to me.  He has a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12) and I must be still [noiseless, silent, stationary, tranquil, calm].

During the day, I’m in the midst of “doing” and I’m distracted by a million things.  I call it “Pinging”…and I’m all over the map!  Telephone calls interrupt, the “kidz” see a cat outside and all is sheer pandemonium for a couple minutes, people stop over unexpectedly….  During the day, I usually don’t have a chance to make myself quiet.  So I do enjoy my night-times with Jesus.  Well…I enjoy ANY time with Jesus!