The Gift Bag On The Table

It is so wonderful to have Bible study in my home.
It is a blessing to see the cars pull up in front of my house.
It is a joy to see each woman walk through my front door.
They know the door is open to them; they know that there is always a chair ready for them.

The women sit at my long farm table in the kitchen.
Some sit around the kitchen island.
The rest are in folding chairs in the family room.
There is always room.

If more women come, I just bring out more chairs.
They know how it works each time we meet.
The Bible study notes are found on the dry sink in the family room.
Coffee, tea, and something freshly baked is ready in the kitchen.

The women start to arrive about 10-15 minutes before we are to begin.
They talk among themselves.
I do not try to make those relationships happen.
They happen naturally as the women get to know each other.

It is a wonderful thing to see.
I love to hear all of their voices.
Usually, ten minutes after our start time, we actually begin.
It seems that 9:30-11:00, every other Wednesday, is a sweet time for each of us.

There is one downside about having a large group of women in my home.
I do not get a chance to talk to each one.
I try to acknowledge each woman as she comes through the door.
Sometimes, one thing or another distracts me.

I have two wonderful young women who come to take care of the children.
The are such a blessing to the mothers with small children.
The mothers can sit and relax, knowing that their children are safe and having fun.
I enjoy watching all the activity as it unfolds around me.

When Bible study is over, I am usually talking to one woman or another.
I hear the front door open and close as the women are beginning to leave.
Some women will stop and touch my arm to let me know they are leaving.
Others do not want to interrupt and they just leave on their own.

Sometimes a woman will linger after Bible study.
We sit and talk in the kitchen.
On those days, I do not even walk into my dining room or my foyer.
On those days, my kitchen is the place where I can be found.

After Bible study, as I was cleaning up the kitchen, I had to walk into my dining room.
There on the table were two gift bags.
I could tell that they were a baby gift.
I looked in the smaller bag first.

I saw that there was a handwritten note with my daughter’s name on it.
I put the tissue paper back in the bag and left it undisturbed.
I reached into the larger bag.
There was a handwritten note with my name on it.

I opened the note first.
It was from one of the sweet women who comes to Bible study.
I smiled as I read her note.
Her words touched my heart.

I fondly remember going to dinner at my grandparents. My grandmother wore black oxfords and an apron. She couldn’t hear well so she also had a large corded hearing aid. Her hair was gray, done in curls. Of course, back then, she always wore dresses, too. One other memory is that as a small child, she always set out child sized flatware. It was just for me. Now that you have your granddaughter and, Lord willing, others to follow, I wanted your grandchildren to be able to have that memory of you. So please use these pieces for your treasured grandchildren.

I opened the box and saw the sweetest set of flatware.
Each piece was too small for adult hands.
Each piece was perfect for tiny hands just beginning to use a spoon or fork.
The gift touched my heart.

To think that a precious childhood memory was the reason behind her gift to me.
Something that was done for her, she continued in her adult life.
I received a tangible gift of a memory from her childhood.
I was so very blessed.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

We give good gifts because the Father first gave us a Gift.
The Father gave us His Son, Jesus.
The Father gives us gifts every day; gifts that we do not deserve.
It would be wise to remember those gifts.

It would be wise to write them down.
It would be wonderful if a memory caused you to bless someone as you have been blessed.
This sweet woman challenged me with her gift.
How can I bless someone the way I have been blessed?

My precious granddaughter, and any grandchildren that will follow, will simply use a spoon.
However, I know the story behind the spoon.
I know the woman who remembered and acted on a memory.
I will smile and be challenged to go and do likewise.