My Best Christmas Gift - A Simple Christmas Story
I got a small package in the mail today...a flat 8.5 x 11 envelope actually. I was surprised to see the return address was from PA and was that of a former pastor from years ago. When I opened it up, it took my breath away for a moment.
There was a note explaining that this poem and 5.00 bill that I had given as an offering in 1983 was being returned to me to pass down as part of my inheritance to our daughter.
The pastor stated that she could not bring herself to actually use it and wanted to return it to me with the same joy it was received many years ago.
Although I meant what I said when I gave it as an offering from my heart, I must say that her thoughtfulness and the receipt of it brought me to tears. To hold something in my hands that Mom had handled so many years ago was special and I felt it had an extra
connection to Heaven and back.
Here's the poem if you want to read it.
Mom’s Gift to Me
I have here in my pocket
A crumpled $5.00 bill.
Now, that may not seem exciting-
But perhaps my story will.
My Mom went on to Glory,
Her lord she went to see,
And among her earthly possession,
She left this bill to me.
Now there was no big estate to settle.
Her children numbered three
And in her hand written will,
Her money went to me.
Her wallet was in her purse
Filled with pictures to the brim,
Kids, husband and grandkids,
Oh, she was so proud of them!
Mom always said
That she was rich
In ways that counted most.
She taught us kids about
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
She always seemed to be there
Whenever we had a need.
She taught us as little kids
How to pray and intercede.
She said she didn’t really care
If we were president or not
Just as long as we were our best
At whatever job we got.
She didn’t have much money
She had no wealth of fame
But she taught us the Power
Of using Jesus’s Name!
She had no position
Of rank or authority
She was under no feeling
Of superiority.
She wasn’t a college graduate-
She was educated in a country school
Where daily they read God’s Word
And recited the Golden Rule.
So I kept this bill
To remind me
Just how much she cared
But the thing I remembered most today
Was how she always shared.
This bill was all she left me
In cash that could be spent
It isn’t even pretty
It’s all crumpled up and bent.
I need this bill no longer
For I realized that it’s true
That she left me something more important
My love, Dear Lord, for You!
This last thing
That I’ve held out
I give to you, now, Lord
Without one doubt.
For Mom is in Heaven
Right there with you
And I think her money
Should be there too.
So Pastor, enclosed please find
One five-dollar bill
Use it to do
The Father’s will.
Oh, Father, I wish
That Mom could see-
I would like to think
She would be proud
…………..of me…
Thena Smith’
9-4-83
I awoke this morning with a prayer
Asking God to keep you in His care
Wrap His arms around you today
Sending all illness far away.
As I awoke I felt a tear
That slipped down my face as I could hear
The little whisper in my heart
That knows when you hurt, even though we're apart.
But then God showed me
How by His love and grace
He would keep you in His embrace
And wipe the tears off your dear face.
And then I heard a little song
That had been there all along
A song God has placed in your spirit
Ready to cheer you whenever you need to hear it.
God knows all you've been through
And knows the things that trouble you
But there is comfort to be found
And in God's timing joy will abound.
God loves you and is with you
And He will be there to guide you
His arms will be there to lean on
For He is always right beside you.
Just reach out to Him for comfort
And know that He is there
You never have to search for Him
He's as close as a whispered prayer.
Love,
Thena
Hope your year is going great so far!
| Scrapbook News and Review Holiday Sampler - November 7, 2009! | |
|
Join us for a good time at our holiday sampler! We will have challenges, games and prizes! The following manufacturers sponsored the holiday sampler: Bo Bunny Fancy Pants Glitz Designs Graphic 45 May Arts My Little Yellow Bicycle Stewart Superior Technique Tuesday Tune in every hour to see some creative projects and classes from each manufacturer. The classes are for a variety of skill levels! | |
I've been having so much fun writing and creating pages, etc., for www.scrapbooknewsandreview.com that I've neglected my poor blog. Not that it matters to the world in general but I hate to begin something and then not follow through.
I do like to have a place to share my little digital doodles and verses. I like to have a place where family and friends know that they can stop by and say hello or in some cases (Hey! did you know your phone is off the hook?) LOL I sometimes will hit the receiver when I'm scanning something and not even know it until my cell phone rings or I get a note from someone on email, etc.
Anyway, here I am and I hope some of you will stop by and say hello.
Welcome back to sunny California! We missed you!