The Gift Of A Child

She came up to me after church with her mother by her side.
She was holding something in her hand.
She looked very anxious to hand it to me.
She held her hand out proudly.

Her smile melted my heart.
Is this for me?
For you, she said emphatically.
She looked so adorable in her pretty dress.

It was a big day for her in church.
Her mom played the drums during worship and she sat beside her on a chair.
She was a percussionist today as well, keeping the beat on a wooden block.
Six years old and not one beat was missed.

I never got the chance to compliment her percussion skills.
She was so focused on what she made for me.
Come over here, I suggested since I didn’t want to talk to her over the church pew.
I looked down at my gift and discovered it was a handmade book.

There were two girls drawn on the front.
Who’s that? I asked thinking it was my little friend and her mother.
It’s me and you!
I looked up at her mom who put her hands in the air, This was all her idea.

I glanced down and saw one girl had shorter hair; that was me.
The other girl had longer hair; that was my little friend.
On the top of the page, above our heads were the words that caught in my throat.
I love you, with two hearts perfectly drawn.

It was quite a story told all in pictures.
We walked hand in hand under puffy clouds.
We looked very scared when we were caught in a thunderstorm.
We ran into a large house with many rooms for protection.

We are having an adventure!

Safe in the house, we came outside when the storm was over.
We walked up an enormous hill.
We suddenly found ourselves in the woods.
There was something else in the foreground.

Turning the page I saw that one of us had a bow and arrow.
The “something else” was a turkey.
On the last page of the book we were feasting on the turkey.
Just the two of us.

The End.
To Miss Gina.
My Christmas present from the heart of a child.
How very precious this little book is to me.

She handed me another drawing that she must have completed during church.
It was on the back of a bulletin insert.
It was a simple manger scene.
Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus were there with a brilliant star shining above them.

Two gifts.
Simple.
Precious.
Each having to do with a child.

I thought about my special book.
I thought about the words on the front.
I love you.
Those words have already been said.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

It was as if God drew a picture.
Two, walking hand in hand.
Facing dangers, toils, and snares with God by your side.
Knowing that God will provide all that you need.

Having a large house with many rooms to come Home to.
Walking up the large hill of our spiritual journey with Jesus.
No storms of life are too difficult for the Lord Jesus.
Nothing catches Him by surprise.

When our journey comes to an end, when the hill has been climbed, there is peace.
You were never alone; you had Someone by your side all the way.
Someone who said, I love you, with His life.
Someone who said, The End. It is finished.

No need to strive.
No need to gain favor.
No need to work in order to earn salvation.
No need to do since it has already been done.

The Book has been written.
Your name is on it.
The gift has been given.
It is wrapped in a tiny newborn Baby.

Don’t miss Him.
The One in the manger is the same One who was on the cross.
Don’t miss Him.
He looks so ordinary, yet He is the Son of God.

In the House with many rooms, there will one day be a Feast.
The Wedding Supper of the Risen Lamb.
The, I love you, was spoken.
For God so loved the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 responses to “The Gift Of A Child”

1. From the mouths (and hearts) of babes…..

   Reply

   • Sue,
     The innocence and purity of a child is such a gift.
     I will treasure that precious gift from my sweet little friend.
     Gina

     Reply