Kind-Hearted

This summer, my husband will celebrate twenty years of ministry at our church.  It's been an amazing twenty years, and we are grateful to God's people here for caring for us all that time.  This Christmas, as I opened cards from family and friends, I was reminded of one such person who showed his love for us each year.

This man first gave us a gift card to a local restaurant one of our first Christmases here.  He included a note saying something to the effect of "Enjoy a night out together". It was a sweet gift, and we were touched. 

And each year, he sent the same gift.  As we started a family, his gift changed slightly.  He included the gift card as usual, and also a $20 bill -- for babysitting.  This man had the idea to cover all our expenses for the evening, even down to a babysitter.  As a mom myself, I don't think I ever would have had that idea! 

As the years passed, the gift continued to arrive each December.  A few years ago, the card simply read "Repeat the past", and his signed name.  And we did repeat the past each year -- we went out to dinner and paid the babysitter, all thanks to this quiet, gentle man.

A little over a year ago, he went home to heaven.  My heart was stirred when I realized his was the first funeral in our new sanctuary.  He was an unassuming man, never looking for glory or recognition.  In his quiet way, he touched those around him, certainly our family.

This Christmas, I thought of him as I got the mail and read Christmas greetings from friends and family.  His card was not among them this year, but his kindness to us was not forgotten.  I want to be the same kind of person he was -- not looking for accolades, but simply looking for opportunities to bless those around me.  

Great Grandma

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thess. 5:16-18

The verse above was my grandma's favorite verse.  She quoted it often, pondered it, and obeyed it.  She was a woman of unwavering faith, and truly did give thanks to God in all circumstances.  She prayed continually and rejoiced always.  She was christian woman who touched many lives by her example.

On January 1, 2000, when I was 7 months pregnant with my first child, I got the call that she had passed away.  Oh how my heart ached!  This woman was so dear to me.  She was fun, full of love and laughter.  She loved to shop (me too!), read (me too!) and eat various junky items like coke, cheese and chips (me too!).  She was a dynamic lady, and everyone who knew her was a little better for it.  There was so much more I wanted to share with her! The thought of her being gone from earth was hard to imagine.  

Over the last nearly 18 years, I have thought of her so very often.  I've wondered what advice she would give me in a particular circumstance, I've wished I could share a good book with her, I've wanted to share my growing family with her.  I've simply missed her presence.  

But as so often we do with loved ones we have lost, I have little moments when I am reminded of her out of the blue.  This month has been especially full of those reminders, particularly in the form of the verse above.  Our school has a virtue we are focusing on each month, and this month's word is gratitude.  And, you guessed it - the verse accompanying the word is this one.  I've seen the verse in various places throughout our school building and via school communication. All three of my children have come to me with their memory work over the last couple of weeks -- thrusting their folders into my busy hands and immediately stilling me with their recitation.  This verse, which reminds me so much of my beloved grandma, causing me to reflect on its meaning.  And after hearing how meaningful it is to me, my confirmand this year is considering using it for his confirmation verse!

The last of my children handed me her folder tonight and began reciting it.  I smiled and teared up a little.  Today is my grandma's birthday -- she would have been 90 this year.  While we're sorry we haven't been able to celebrate all those birthdays with her on earth, we are thankful for the ones we were blessed with.  And we are even more grateful for the promise that we will see her again.  

I'm not sure she knew the impact she had on those around her -- in fact I'm sure she had no idea how much everyone was touched by her kind heart and example.  But she was quietly leading those around her to Christ. She would be so thankful to know that, for she wanted nothing more than for her friends and family to know their Savior.

Thanks for being who you were to so many, Grandma! Happy 90th birthday!  

I'm Dreaming of a . . .SNOW DAY!

Yes, we've had a lot of blowing snow all day today, and the kids are hoping for a snow day tomorrow.  Personally I would prefer a delay, but I don't know if the snow gods are asking for my input.  

My two youngest kids are pulling out all the stops to make it happen.  Their eldest sister recalls lots of tricks to make a snow day a guarantee, including wearing your jammies inside out, putting a spoon under your pillow and placing a crayon on the windowsill.  They have carefully executed every step in their three-point plan.

It seems pretty foolproof to me.  To those of you who live nearby and would enjoy a snow day, you're welcome!