A WATERFALL, SWIZZLE STICKS AND A DECK OF CARDS

A week ago I celebrated the 20th anniversary of my 23rd birthday.  Now to some folks that would be 43rd birthday but not me.  I prefer to stick to the 20's as long as possible.  This might look like a form of denial but as long as it eases my soul that's all that matters.  I could care less what others think.  That's just the kind of gal I am.

I gave my usual "DO NOT buy me anything!" speech but as usual it fell on deaf ears (or selective hearing depending on who you ask).  I give this speech each year for several reasons...........

1.  I am cheap.  (they would never search for a coupon for what they were buying)
2.  I do not need anything.  (suspect I am already a borderline hoarder)
3.  They should spend their money on themselves . (I spend my money on them why shouldn't they)
4.  I would rather DO something with them any day as have stuff.

Eventually all three of my wonderful children produced a gift for me.  I loved them all but the actual present itself was not at all the gift I received. 

Natalie was first.  She came home from town with a super cute table cloth and a set of Glass Swizzle Sticks with chickens on them.  We recently purchased ( used of course) an outdoor table and chairs for our porch.  We are loving eating our meals outside on the porch.  We have spent many mornings and evenings sitting and talking outside at the table.  We have also became quite fond of "fruity" drinks ( non-alcoholic, of course) which we found that a Swizzle Stick is helpful to keep it stirred up.  Natalie, her BFF Kayla, and I had spent a long time one day in Walmart searching for Swizzle Sticks and never found them.  Natalie's gift to me was her way of saying I love the time we spend together as a family and I want that to continue. 

Tucker got up and ask me to go with him to run some errands.  He needed to go to Home Depot to check on a Lawn Mower blade ( insert shameless Plug here----T.A.L. OUTDOORS SERVICES----We are here for all your outdoor jobs.  No job is too big or too small for us:)  When we walked into Home Depot he confessed that he had lied.....he actually had brought me there to buy me a new pump for my waterfall and goldfish pond.  I have put off buying a new one for 2 summers because I could always think of something else that was more important to buy.  I love the peacefulness of sitting outside by my pond on a cool evening with the family and sometimes alone.  Tucker's gift to me was his way of saying I love the time we spend together as family and I know you find a peace and tranquility there alone sometimes.  We also spent the day together talking and just riding around.  That was the cherry on top of the Sundae......He wanted to spend time with just me!

CariAnna had been working in her room for several days and I had continuously ask her, "Whatcha doin?"  and she always responded  "None ya business".  I even tried to snoop a little bit but she ran me out.  Finally she came down and handed me a deck of playing cards tied together with a ribbon and said  "Here is your birthday present, sorry it is so lame but I am broke."  As I looked at the top card she had written 30 REASONS I LOVE YOU by: CariAnna.  I began to flip through the cards and by the about the 10th cards I had to stop because I could not see through the tears that were streaming down my face.  I hugged her and told her it was NOT lame and I would carry it in my wallet forever except I was pretty sure my wallet would not close with a deck of cards inside it.    CariAnna's gift to me was that she wanted me to know that even though she had no money to spend she want me to know that I meant the world to her.  As a mom of 3 teenagers that is something that you pray for but aren't always sure of. 

The real gifts here were not the material things but the time and thoughts and sacrifices that were put into each of them.  The gifts were very different but I love all the gifts equally.  God must understand this principle better than anyone.  That is why he cherished the widows mite over the the big bucks he received from the hypocrites.  Someone could offer me a million dollars right now for my pump, swizzle sticks/table cloth and deck of cards and I would say no way!

Many time I think of things I could give to GOD as a gift....teaching Sunday School,  cooking a meal for someone,  speaking to a visitor at worship,  a hug to someone who looks like they are having a bad day......but I brush it off as not important or I convince myself I will not be good at it or I just wait for some else to do it.   SHAME ON ME!! 

The truth is that GOD cherishes the quality of our passion over the quality of our performance.  He values sincerity over perfection.  And he loves the giver more than he loves the gift. 

I need to remind myself of this daily.  In fact I should probably make a note and stick it on my mirror so I can see it every morning.  It will remind me that my Father in Heaven loves my heartfelt gifts to him---not because they are perfect gifts but because he loves me with a perfect love. 

By the way, the reason she only used only 30 of the 52 cards was because I would not leave her alone while she was doing it.  I kept coming to her room to see what she was doing.  I told her I was just making sure she wasn't doing drugs in there or something.  I think it was her way of telling me I do not play with a full deck!

To Him The Glory,
DeAnne