Thoughtful Gifts From Loving People

Homemade chicken noodle soup heals all. Okay, so it really doesn't heal all and I don't even know if it is that delicious. What I do know is when anyone is sick, I try to make a pot and take some over to them. I am convinced it isn't really the soup that matters but the fact that someone would take time to make and deliver it. Every time my mom is here I make an enormous amount and send her home with dozens of containers to keep in her freezer. This is really for me more than for her. Not living close to her limits the amount of spoiling and hugging I get to give her. So these simple containers of soup can continously remind her that I care about her.

Over the years, I have been blessed with generosity when I needed it the most. The most hysterical gift I received was when I got my first kidney stone. The ladies at work knew I had to drink, drink, and then drink some more. They took a lanyard tube and bought a gallon jug of Evian water popped a hole in the lid and slipped the newly designed straw inside. Even through the morphine and pain I had to laugh at their thoughtful but silly gift. Turns out that jug stayed beside me and helped my move that painful stone right out of my life. Their humor became one of the most helpful gifts they could have given.

I have a confession to make about a prayer shawl I received last year. My first thought was that this was something this lady gave me to pray with. Now I am a firm believer that you can pray anywhere, anytime and certainly don't need anything to pray with. So regrettably, I was not overly grateful for the gift. Turns out I was having a Rosanna Rosannadana moment. The prayer shawl was crocheted by an amazingly, generous stranger who prayed for me and my family the entire time she lovingly worked on it. Boy do I hate when the mirror to myself shows how judgmental and ungrateful I can be. Now as you might have guessed this soft, beautiful blue shawl is one of my most treasured possessions. Thankfully, the kind heart who crocheted it never knew of my mistake.

JOY Jesus-Others-Yourself  Once again I am reminded of the best way to order my life. I think it is about time I sit down and make a prayer shawl myself. There is I love that I have been asking others to pray for recently. I bet a few hours before my God crocheting for her would be a powerful gift for both of us.

In Him,
Joyful
2-1-2010