The Bright Pink Birthday Box

My son has been married for one month.
Right before their month anniversary, his wife celebrated a birthday.
I had a present for her.
They live an hour away; I was hoping that I would see them to give it to her in person.

Newlywed life is quite busy.
My son and his wife love to sing and play worship music together.
One weekend, in their first month of marriage, they were asked to sing at a friend’s wedding.
Another week, they volunteered with a ministry my son was part of all through college.

They are enjoying each other.
They are enjoying sharing a life together.
They are enjoying the fact that they do not have to say goodbye when the night is over.
They are enjoying doing life side by side.

I wanted my daughter-in-love to receive her birthday present.
Since it would be a few weekends until we saw each other, I decided to send the package to her.
I wrapped the gift in tissue paper and needed to find the right box.
I went to the post office with my arms full.

I decided to buy one of those cute postal boxes.
The ones that are brightly colored and perfect for different occasions.
I carried the gift, a card with their address on it, my address label, and tape to secure everything.
I decided on a bright pink birthday box.

The woman at the counter remarked, Well, you certainly came prepared!
I did, and I was quite proud of myself.
I usually forget something when I go to the post office.
However, this day I was ready.

I put her gift inside the box along with a note in an envelope.
I put everything inside the box, trying to imagine her face as she opened it.
I securely taped the box closed at both ends.
I put clear tape over the address card that I affixed to the front and my address label as well.

Pretty, the woman at the counter said.
The box was pretty!
I could picture her face when she saw the bright pink box waiting for her to open.
I got my tracking receipt and was told that the package would arrive in two days.

I sent her a quick text to tell her that her birthday present was just sent.
Awwww, yay! was her reply.
I loved her enthusiasm and her little girl anticipation as she waited to open it.
I pinned the tracking receipt on my bulletin board until I heard that the package arrived.

Two days later, I never heard from her.
It was not a thank you I was looking for, rather I just wanted to make sure it arrived.
The next day I sent my son a text, informing him that the package should be there.
I checked the tracking number and discovered that the package had indeed been delivered.

It was delivered at 10:13 am, the report said.
I was relieved that the package arrived safely.
I still didn’t hear anything.
It is not like my son or his wife not to text about something like that.

I decided that I would send my son the tracking link so he could see that it was indeed delivered.
I checked the mail, Mama, but the package is not there, he told me.
I pointed out that it was delivered to a parcel locker, whatever that means.
I suggested that he check with the office at the apartment complex.

Of course, all of this was discovered on a weekend.
My post office was closed.
Their post office was closed.
It was after hours at the apartment complex office as well.

My daughter-in-love’s package was delivered somewhere.
It is not in her possession.
The bright pink birthday box, that was meant to make her smile, has yet to be seen.
The mystery remains unsolved until Monday morning.

As my husband and I sat reading in our family room, I heard the door open and close.
HELLO! was heard coming from the kitchen.
I turned around to see my son and his wife standing there.
I jumped up to give each of them a hug.

It was 10:00 at night.
They had been working on their apartment all day, organizing and sorting wedding gifts.
They decided on the spur of the moment that they would come home.
I was delighted; a nicer surprise could not have been given to me.

We talked about the missing present.
If I had known you were coming, I could have given it to you in person, I said.
Somehow, it did not matter.
A bright pink birthday box, that has yet to be seen, seemed unimportant.

The real gift was standing before me.

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:14,15)

God’s grace is His indescribable gift.
That God sent His Son to die on the cross and rise again so that we may live is a gift.
That God would save us from sin and count us righteous because of His Son is a gift.
Amazing grace that we do not deserve is a gift.

Blessing upon blessing that God has given us is a gift.
The family that He surrounds us with is a gift.
The friends that walk through life with us are a gift.
The breath we take without even thinking and the heart that beats inside us is a gift.

Indescribable gifts.
Gifts that cannot be bought.
Gifts that are straight from His hand.
Gifts that do not need bright pink birthday boxes to be seen.

Gifts that are quietly placed before us.
Gifts that we often miss in our own self-absorption.
Gifts that whisper His love to us each day.
Gifts that are all around us.

Make a list of the gifts God has given you.
Whether it is a mental list or an actual list that is written down does not matter.
What does matter is that the gifts are recognized.
What does matter is that the gifts are appreciated.

What does matter is that you thank Him, the Giver of all good gifts. (James 1:17)
What gift stands before you today?
What gift have you easily overlooked in your busyness?
When can you start making your gift list?

You will be utterly amazed.

2 responses to “The Bright Pink Birthday Box”

1. You will let us know when it’s found right???

   Reply

   • Marcie,
     The bright pink birthday box was found. After all that wait, my sweet daughter-in-love really liked her present.
     Gina

     Reply