What do you get together for a birthday, graduation or anniversary present? Do you just run into a local store and pick up something you think the person might like OR do you take a lot of time choosing? Me? Well, it depends. Here's what I did recently.
My very good friend of over 50 years recently celebrated a birthday. She is interested in sewing and other kinds of art so I began going through my studio selecting out bits and bobs, including a wonderful golden box with lots of stars on it. All it needed was to be filled. I went to the fabric shop and bought several fat quarters, some zippers, some ribbon, a tiny pair of scissors, and took them home to be added to the things from my studio. I made a card and after the box was nicely full tied it up with a lovely ribbon...put on it that wonderful Scripture quote about the Lord knowing each of the stars by name...found a wonderful bright red bubble wrap envelope and posted it to its far-off destination. The morn of her b-day I telephoned and she opened the box...liking all the stuff and already began thinking about what she might make. I guess that makes the prezzie interactive?!
And the point is? Well, often we are in such a hurry we grab at what is closest rather than making something or putting something together that shows our style and our knowledge of the person. This is a great graduation gift. It's also a great gift for someone unwell or housebound. Fill it with crossword or other puzzles. Fill it with little books to read or Scripture quotes for the day. If you know what the person likes then it is easier...maybe westerns, or detective stories. There's also always room for a bit of chocolate or nuts. A summer surprise box for a grandchild never goes into the trash! Think of all the things you might fill a box with to challenge those long summer hours.
Our lives are a bit like a wonderful box, needing to be well filled! Friends fill us as do family, good reading, prayer, activities and rest. The 'boxes' of our lives are precious and we need to marvel at the variety possible. One day they might look like the golden box with stars...another day a bit more subdued. We forget sometimes too that we are part of what fills the lives of others and so our joy and humor, our kindness and willingness to help all make up wonderful colors and swatches in another person's life.
Be blest and be a blessing...YEA. OUR LIBRARY IS OPEN!!! Starting to warm up for summer...take care.
BLESSINGS.
