gift
A warmer breeze is blowing over the leaf barren hills as spring begins her tempting arrival. Even the birds are chirping louder and more longingly than just a few days before. Cackling hens announce the arrival of eggs as the rooster crows his victorious rule over the flock. The old stove is now serving to remove the ever so slight chill rather than its usual role as heater in its domain. With the snow storm having passed just a few days ago, could this now be the opening curtain for the first performance of spring? Each day gives witness to greener fields than the day before as daffodils perk their yellow trumpet blossoms to the morning sun. Nature is emerging from its slumber as the unwelcomed cold begins to retreat. Greenhouse plants eagerly await their transplantation into the waiting soil of the garden. As nature adjusts to the change in weather, so also does this grateful “boomer” begin the process of adaptation to greater movement, the flow of pollen, and the desire for outdoor habitation. Nature’s demonstration of new birth reminds us of the Creator’s provision for new life that we celebrate in the weeks ahead. True gratitude manifests itself in the acceptance of God’s gift of new life as the grace and mercy that it is.
Wrapping paper strewn in the frantic presence of excitement over the receiving moment has been gathered and awaits the trash man. All the buttons and switches have been pushed or flicked as the gadgets stood their test. New clothes await their dressing moment as size anticipates its best. The afterglow of the celebration day still lingers as we look forward to the New Year. As time for reflection approaches we cease upon the moment at hand and give thanks for the warmth and security of this time and place and the presence of Love Himself, whom we celebrate. Otherwise annoying symptoms that remind one of life’s frailties are meshed in the moments of rejoicing in relationship, friendship, and kinship. May the greatest of all gifts, the grace of God, be unwrapped each gifted day.
Unseasonably warm wind blows in gusts from the southeast rattling limbs on the barren winter trees. The rooster lets loose his crowing sound of mastery over his domain as the edge of light begins its invasion of the sky. Cast iron stove and oil fired furnace stay unused for the day as shirtsleeve temperatures begin to arrive with the light. A winter reprieve is upon us. Warmth from the outside air brings with it the memory of extended livable space to include deck and fields, unburdened by the chill of an icy breeze. The temptation is to unpack all the summer patio gear so carefully tucked away for the winter. Experience reminds us, however, that this reprieve is only temporary. Winter has only just begun and months more of cold are on their way. For today we will enjoy what nature has wrought and move freely without layered constraint. Likewise, when symptoms suddenly seemingly subside, experience tells us they will return. One does not wait in anticipation of returned constraints, but rather enjoys the reprieve by using the freedom wholeheartedly in the presence of gratitude. May your life’s engine be revved up by a tank full of “thanks”.
Colorful patterned paper waited on the tightly wound tube to be unfurled and wrapped around the rectangular box containing the prized Christmas present. Careful listening and stealth internet shopping had rendered just what was desired under the tree. The first challenge was unrolling the paper from the tube without seeing it roll anew in the other direction. Placing the rectangular container at the edge of the paper seemed to be the answer until sizing of the paper became necessary. The frustration was beginning to build. There had always been nimble fingers and flexible wrists available for this seemingly mundane task when tackled in years gone by. Where nimble digits had previously been at the fore, now slow to move and solidly resistant joints impeded the process. Suddenly, the fingers and movement always taken for granted were demanding intention and forced direction to accomplish the seemingly most menial task. It was as though I suddenly was faced with wrapping presents with my toes. As the irrationally impatient perpetrator of the packaging process became more frustrated, a distracting thought invaded. What if the aging process were reversed? What if youngsters were inundated with regressively bothersome diseases, so that as one ages, the impediments disappear and the old experienced codgers become more supple, limber, agile, and quick? All the “logical” reasons why came flooding in my mind, but not until the frustration of the hand at task had completed its intended labor. A seeming impediment had been met with a momentary distraction that ushered the task to completion. A moment of reflection ignited a time of thankfulness that the task indeed was complete and now could be lovingly (if not patiently) placed beneath the tree.
The evening dew has turned to morning frost as evidenced in the icy glaze glistening in the dim glow of the dawn. The winds are silent and golden brown leaves fall gently toward the ground from their seasoned perch. The crisp air gripped the silence of the morning as the fully rested puppy galloped, frantically sniffing her way to her place of relief. The blessing of another day is unfolding from the pages of life in the quiet of the country. The day’s agenda waits patiently as created communes with Creator, being ever so thankful for the rest that has transformed the stiff and aching creature into a more nimble and agile servant. Mornings host a plethora of gifts waiting to be unwrapped. Some will be challenges that require ingenuity to discern. Some will flow gently over the path ahead, clearing the way for an easier journey. All are embraced in the arms called grace; not deserved, not earned, but given by a loving God. May this gift be lived with the heart of the Giver!
The street was cluttered with rickshaws, bicycles, and cars that were trying to navigate the passage to their destination that morning in what was then known as Bombay, India. The smell of diesel fumes and incense wafted into the taxi transporting the snugly secured Ahsha (my daughter) fastened around my neck and chest. We had witnessed the flurry of humanity that approached taxis with hands outstretched for any bit of change. It was not uncommon to see young mothers baring breasts with baby in tow in a gesture implying no milk for the hungry. I had seen a couple of folks in New York on the subway who made a profession of panhandling, but this was far more heart wrenching. On an earlier taxi ride the driver had warned against giving even a penny lest the taxi be surrounded quickly by those looking to receive just a pittance. Suddenly, a young man approached the window that was opened only slightly that December morning in 1987. His hands were missing fingers eaten away by the ravage of leprosy. I was moved almost to tears as I reached in my pocket and handed him through the tiny opening a ten rupee bill, the smallest denomination I had on me at the time. It was less than one dollar, but the taxi driver burst into a shout of admonition; “That man has never seen that much money before!” I responded; “I’ve never seen a leper before, so I guess we’re even.” The taxi driver was not amused, but took us safely to our destination. We are so often concerned with our own agendas that we can miss the opportunity to respond to the heart’s tug toward the need of others. A possible blessing from giving is the receipt of thankfulness at the ability to give. No gift is too small to be grand. A smile toward a worried soul could be the spark that ignites a moment of inspiration.