Gifts

The “Happy Birthday” bouquet of beautiful flowers delighted me. I immediately sent my friend a text message to let her know the florist had delivered it. In addition to delighting in the sight of the bouquet, I spent hours photographing it. As I experimented with the settings on two cameras and external flashes, I took an even closer look at the individual flowers that comprised the bouquet and was awed by the perfection I saw in each one.

As I worked, I also felt thankful to have such a caring friend who knows how much I love to photograph beautiful flowers, whether from a florist or in a neighbor’s yard or in a formal garden or alongside the road. Her gift reminded me that she was thinking about me and was celebrating with me, though we live 150 miles apart.

The more I thought about her gift and others I’d received, the more I realized that it’s not the price of the gift that matters. It’s the unspoken message that says, “I remember you. And to prove that I do, I’m giving you this gift” (or sending a card or calling to say hello, etc.). For example, I cherish this message my 8-year-old grandson wrote on the card he made for me: “I am the most happiest boy in the world because of you!!!!!!!!” 

Truly, it’s not the price of the gift that matters. It knowing that we are remembered—and loved.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore I have drawn you [to Me] with lovingkindness.”

~God

Jeremiah 31:3, New American Standard Bible

Like a Bubbling Brook

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 18:4, ESV

When I read the above words, pictures of bubbling brooks I’d taken through the years immediately flashed in my mind. Although I didn’t fully understand the meaning of the words in that verse, I was strangely drawn to them. So, the following day, I read Bible commentaries to help me understand the meaning. Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible was particularly helpful because as I read that interpretation of the verse, I began to understand why it had captured my attention.

Let me explain. For the past few weeks, I had noticed (and been awed by) the way various writers (of the Bible and self-help books) seemed to be telling me the same thing every morning during the hour or more I spent reading the Bible, reading devotional books, praying, writing, etc.

Even though the Bible and the other books were written by various authors in various centuries, the “message of the day” was basically the same! And, even more astonishing, each one related to what I was experiencing at that time. How is this possible? I wondered. How do they know how to write so specifically to my need on any given morning? How do ministers and hymn writers do the same kind of thing?????

According to John Gill, the famous Puritan pastor, here’s how the process works: The doctrines (teachings) a godly person absorbs and fills his heart with and which his mouth utters are like “waters,” waters that are pure, purifying, and refreshing. “Deep waters” make no noise and cannot be easily plumbed. Out of this abundance of wonderful “water" in a godly person’s heart, his (or her) mouth speaks. And the wellspring of wisdom within such a person is like “ a flowing brook; like a spring of spiritual wisdom and knowledge within him; like “a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life; and from [there] it flows freely and constantly; communicating itself liberally unto others, and ministering grace to the hearers, for their edification” (instruction, enlightenment, guidance).

I am indescribably grateful for such persons. And I long to be one of them.

©2015 by Johnnie Ann Gaskill