Down Deep

I see it from time to time as I drive this time of year.
It always catches my eye.
Some would say I only notice it because it is red.
I would say it is something more.

This is the time of year the Christmas decorations are seen.
Everyone has their own taste, their own style.
The decorations tend to convey that style in their choice and their placement.
The decorations that are my favorite tend to match my style.

I am always amazed at the number of inflatable decorations I see each year.
I assume young children live in that house.
I am enthralled by the homes that have lights resembling a gingerbread cottage.
The placement of the lights resemble the houses my children and I decorated.

Years ago, white wooden reindeer were found on many front lawns.
I commented on them so much, my husband made a set for me.
I remember hearing my husband down in his workshop cutting each piece of wood.
I remember him making the antlers that seemed so massive next to our youngest daughter.

I loved those rustic reindeer.
We used them for many years.
However, the large antlers were top heavy.
A good strong wind would topple the reindeer every time.

My husband fastened them to the ground with metal stakes.
Unfortunately after years of use, the antlers cracked.
We decided that the reindeer served their purpose well.
It was time to disassemble them.

It was one word that caught my eye.
I saw the word on a few lawns here and there.
I always wished that I could have knocked on the door of those houses.
I would have asked them where they purchased their decoration.

I never did.
The thought was tucked away in my mind.
It was one of those, if I ever happen to see one, kind of thought.
This was the year; I saw it as I was driving home from my favorite place.

I had been behind buggies with little Amish children.
Little children with rosy cheeks looked at me through the back of the buggy.
I was refreshed as I always am when I spend the day there.
I was heading home.

As I passed a place that sells bird baths and other stone lawn objects, I saw it.
The word in red letters, prominently displayed at the end of the driveway.
There were two sizes.
One set of letters seemed quite large; the other set seemed perfect for our home.

I passed the place because I noticed the red word too late.
I turned at the next possible street and went back.
I pulled into the store in the town of Paradise.
I took notice of the name on the side of the barn: Almost Paradise.

I smiled at the thought.
As I got closer to the building, I saw that it had an old front porch.
There were all sizes of flagstone for walkways, benches, and metal hooks for seasonal flags.
There against the front steps was the red word.

I looked into the barn and saw a workshop.
Many of the things were made right there on the premises.
I went inside the store.
I asked the price of the red word.

I left without buying it.
I was not sure which size would be best for the area I had chosen.
I was not even sure the area I decided was the best place.
I would think about it and come back.

A week passed from my initial visit.
I decided to go back to Almost Paradise and get my red word.
I had enough cash in my wallet to buy the large size.
I still was not sure which size would be best.

It was a bit further than I remembered.
I found myself driving in the late afternoon with a misty fog over the area.
The rolling hills and valleys made the fog thick in places.
Would I remember exactly where the store was located in the fog?

As I drove down the road, singing Christmas music, I saw the red word.
It was still prominently displayed at the end of the driveway.
Both sizes were there.
I knew at that moment, I would purchase the smaller size.

I went inside the old building.
There was an Amish girl behind the counter.
Two other women were paging through a catalog of seasonal flags.
Can I help you? the young Amish girl asked me with her Pennsylvania Dutch accent.

Yes, I would like to buy the JOY sign that is out front, I said.
Would you like the small one or the large one? she asked sweetly.
The smaller one, I answered quite sure of my decision.
You can go out and get it and bring it back to me, she directed.

I went outside and walked down the old steps.
There was my sign.
J-O-Y.
Inside the O, there was a silhouette of the Nativity scene with the star of Bethlehem above.

I gathered the three letters and brought them inside.
I placed the letters on the counter.
The Amish girl expertly wrapped each letter, laying them carefully on top of each other.
She placed all the wooden letters in a large paper bag.

I paid for my sign, the sign I have admired for years.
It was time.
The place where I would put the letters was ready.
I thanked her and smiled all the way back to my car.

Driving home, Joy to the World came on my Christmas playlist.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

 

2 responses to “Down Deep”

1. I’ve seen these too and wondered where to get them. They say that true joy comes from the
   baby born that night over 2,000 years ago. It’s a way go let neighbors show your faith. Can you e-mail me where that store is?

   Reply

   • You are right, Sue.
     True joy can only be found in Christ.
     True peace can only be found in Jesus as well.
     The JOY sign is a visible reminder of that Truth.
     Gina

     Reply