by Macy Johnson
“For we know, loved by God, that he has
chosen you.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:4 NIV)
My
granddaughter’s seventh birthday quickly approached. Walmart’s greeting cards’
display commandeered my attention longer than planned. Out of the midst of a
plethoric selection of birthday greetings for granddaughters, one special card leapt
off the shelf and into my cart.
Back home I
read through the lovely card which was full of encouraging phrases. Then I
remembered a birthday card I purchased when Dahlia was born and never presented
it to her. Did I think it was too mature-minded for her earlier birthdays?
I reached
for the three-ring binder of grandchild mementoes on my bookshelf and opened it
to the saved birthday card. Amazing! It was identical to the one I had just purchased!
Was it a coincidence? I don’t think so. How many times have you received the
same card from the same person? It probably happens more often than we realize.
Dahlia’s
birthday celebration took place at our home in Georgia. Family gathered from
North Carolina and Alabama to commemorate the special occasion. Red velvet cake,
homemade vanilla ice cream, chili, hot dogs, gifts, music, and even a pinata
filled with candy contributed to the fun festivities. We relished spending the
weekend together!
A devotional
I read this week reminded me of the importance of face-to-face gatherings.
Social media can never take the place of visiting one-on-one with those we
love. God created us to be social people and crave togetherness. The noisy
birthday weekend confirmed it for me. After everyone left I felt renewed,
rejuvenated, and a little sore in my back for picking up, hugging, and kissing
my beautiful grandchildren. What a small price to pay for love!
I will welcome
time to spend with others and plan more celebrations with the head of our
family, God. I hope you will, too!
Macy, that card purchase could not have been a coincidence. Maybe God had that message for your granddaughter saved for the right time. And the fact that the same card appeared years later could show you how much He cares about those small details. So glad you could have that one on one time. While electronic conversations are a nice benefit those face to face encounters are so much more special.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara, for your sweet comment. I hope you are experiencing many God Sightings in your new home, new environment!
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