Wednesday Treasures: Unexpected "Gifts" Revisited

Note: January 20, 2021.  I originally wrote this post on 7/22/2012.  In searching for something "new" to share with you today for my "Wednesday Treasures", I was led to this post and thought it was a "treasure" for sure.  On this day when many of us are trying to stay focused on positive things and away from the media, perhaps a review of some of God's "miraculous, spontaneous gifts" in your life as well as in mine might a a good exercise for our hearts and minds.  So as you read through my little list of "gifts", which are really treasures, maybe you will be reminded of some special "gifts" that came to your life at just the right time...something out of the blue that you weren't expecting but that God knew you needed and provided it for you right on time.   So read on and hopefully you will be blessed and encouraged today:

Original Post 7/22/2012:

One of my new blogging friends made a comment on my last "Random Journal Day" post, "Saved from the Abyss by God's Miraculous Intervention", that the two items mentioned in the story, the song of the Meadowlark, and the "smiling" rose, were gifts.  Until my friend pointed this out, I had not really thought of them as "gifts", but indeed they were.  They were gifts sent from God at precisely the right moment to rescue me back from the edge of an abyss that was tempting me to take a step closer to the brink of my own destruction.  Not that I would have done anything really crazy, at least looking back now I don't think I would have...but then again, perhaps God saw something different and sent His messengers to call me back just in time.

Thinking of these miraculous, spontaneous events as "gifts" got me to thinking about other things that have happened in my life that were gifts from God to encourage me or rescue me, or even just to delight me at a time that I needed it most. Without becoming too specific, I will list a few...

• A phone call from a dear friend at a time when only God could have told her I needed her to call.

• A card or note in the mail from someone, with words of hope and love and perhaps a little tea-bag enclosed to give me a refreshing reminder of a precious friend.
• An unexpected monetary gift from a loved one, at precisely the exact moment we needed it...and the exact amount that was required to be paid...and that individual did not know anything about that particular need.
• Miraculous intervention from the action of a friend's phone call...who changed the course of the doctor's plans at a most critical time just prior to our son's brain surgery...that very possibly saved our son's life.
• Someone repaying a debt to us that we never expected to receive in this lifetime...and again, at exactly the moment we needed it most.
• Meeting a new friend who seemed to be able to look right into my heart and see how badly I needed a friend at that time.
• A song heard on the radio while driving myself to work, that blessed me so completely that I almost had to pull off the road and take time to worship and praise God right then and there.

• An owl appearing in front of me at the precise moment I needed a sign from God that my Daddy had reached heaven's gate...that was definitely a "God-gift"  (click on this link for "The Last Farewell"

• A beautiful and precious gift of a baby doll, sent from a dear friend whom I have never met personally...made especially for me...just because she wanted to show me God's love at a difficult time in my life...(Click on this link for "Baby Elva's Story" )

Well, you get the idea...I have to stop or I will never be able to post this story because the list just goes on and on. 

Of course the Greatest Gift of all is the Gift of Jesus Christ, My Savior and Lord, Who gave HIMSELF for me, when I most definitely did not deserve His mercy and grace and love.  And He stands ready to present Himself to you as well, if you have not yet accepted His free gift of salvation.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

I hope that this little exercise has caused you to think about the gifts you have received in your life, and perhaps it might be a good idea to begin your own list. It also makes me want to be more sensitive to ways I can bless others with special "God-Gifts". Once we start thinking this way, we will be amazed at all of the things God will bring to our minds...and we will have to break out into spontaneous praise! His love is so amazing...His mercy so unfailing, His grace is so undeserved...What more can I say? 

Thank You, Dear Lord

for Your blessings on me.

And please help me to be a

blessing to others each day.

Amen.

Friday Foto Friends...A Special Journey-Updated for my records...

Howdy Friday Foto Friends!  Another busy week has just flown right by...and it has been filled with a lot of good things, some interesting things, and some great times with loved ones and friends. I already told you about our wonderful Mother's Day weekend visits HERE in my "Thankfulness Journal".

Well today (Thursday) we took another trip to visit with some very special friends who live a couple of hours away from us.  You might remember these dear friends from our visit with them last August... Click Here for "A Day Spent With Special Friends"   .  Since that time things have not been so wonderful for them. Our dear friend Howard was diagnosed with colon cancer this past winter, and he has been suffering quite a bit for the past few months.  We've wanted to go visit for some time, but there never seemed to be a good time for them, due to the side effects of this cancer itself.  However, we knew we couldn't keep putting it off, so today we ventured south to visit...traveling through intermittent rain, but not bad enough to cause any problems.  I did not take any pictures while we were with our friends today, but we spent every minute just visiting and appreciating the wonderful friendship that we have shared for about forty years.  When God blesses you with true Christian friends who have been there for you through good times and bad, you find it hard to see them struggling with such health issues and feel so helpless to do anything to help. We did pray together and that is the best thing we can ever do.

So now, on a brighter note, I do have a few pictures to share from our actual trip along the country road today...

We "flew" past this old red caboose rather quickly, and I wasn't even sure if I'd captured a picture at all, so was delighted to see that it did turn out pretty good...Not sure what is being done with it...but I always love anything to do with trains, so was happy to see this...

All along the road I kept seeing these beautiful wild phlox and other wildflowers, and I finally convinced hubby to pull off the road and let me take a few pictures.  I was hoping to also get pictures of the many little white and yellow butterflies that were flying all over these flowers, but they were moving too quickly for me to get any pictures of them...so just imagine little butterflies flitting from flower to flower:

This patch of wildflowers was right next to a huge big field of vegetables...yellow squash, corn, and other stuff I couldn't determine...but it sure looked healthy and green!  So wonderful to see!!

Aren't these wildflowers gorgeous?  Our God is so awesome...

On the other side of the road were these yellow wildflowers, sorry for the window reflection, but you get the idea...also you can see the railroad tracks running alongside the road.

If you looked at the link I posted above about our Day Spent with Special Friends (you could click this link as well), you will see that my dear friend Evelyn had done some very special things for me on that day last year...i.e.; she restored//salvaged a beautiful old quilt that my hubby's grandmother had made for us as a wedding gift...and I wanted her to see how I was using it now in our guest room:

Yes, this is a different quilt from the wedding ring quilt featured last week HERE (Welcome Guest), but I wanted to use it here as an alternative. The original squares on this quilt are still rather fragile to be used regularly due to the age of the fabric used, but it will serve very nicely as a "nap quilt".

I also wanted Evelyn to see that I am now using the beautiful art/plaque she created, using some of the scraps from this quilt...The antique picture in the center are some "borrowed ancestors"...no one we know, but this is just an art creation. However, I do have plans to insert an old picture of my hubby's grandmother in this space as soon as I can make a good copy of it...then it will represent her as the creator of the original quilt.

UPDATED ON 5-20-18

 I wanted to add the following pictures to update the "art/plaque" that my friend Evelyn created for me last year.  She had suggested that I should replace the picture with "Nanny Martin", the creator of that quilt, and add something that belonged to her to the plaque. So I did that today, and here are the results:

This is a picture of "Nanny Martin", possibly not long after she was married (at the age of 15 in the year 1912.)

I added the little pin with the clear aqua stone that you see on the bottom corner of her picture. That belonged to her.  Also I added the larger key, which I believe came from her house. The fabric pieces surrounding her picture are scraps from this quilt that she made.

I guess we have come to "The End" of today's pictorial display.

Here's three little deer running away from the scene of the crime last evening...

they had come searching for my petunia plants and couldn't find them...

Someone (Annie from Cottage by the Sea) said I should name the deer "Petunia"...so that is what I shall call these little rascally deer from now on. They all look the same, so they will all just be called "Petunia"

Now let's escape over to Deb's place at Breathing In Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends have been up to!!  Oops! I just saw that Deb is unable to host our gathering tomorrow....I hope she is okay...we will miss her this week.  So, I guess we are on our own...I may as well go ahead and post this tonight and you will see it tomorrow when you wake up!

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 16:11

Praying for dear friends tonight...many with serious illness...

Praying for those who have difficult family situations that are hard to deal with...

Praying for peace in our nation and world...

Praying for our President and our leaders...

And Thanking the Lord for good friends...

Amen.

It's Pentecost Sunday...

It's Sunday, and I know I should write something deep and spiritual. But to be honest, my brain is still a little fuzzy since my surgery...even though my surgery had nothing to do with my brain...totally opposite...but well, I won't give TMI.   Anyway, there really is something to "anesthesia brain". I realize that as I try to type here...you don't know how many times I am hitting the wrong keys and have to go back and rewrite words.  I find it is easier to just go sit in my recliner and read a book than to try and think and write and communicate.  But something drives me to at least keep trying...don't give in to it or it will become difficult to ever get back in the routine and groove...

Today is Pentecost Sunday...the Sunday set aside in the traditional church calendar to remember and celebrate the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, who were gathered "with one accord in one place..." (Acts 2:1).  Acts 2:2-3 tells us that

"Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, 

as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled the whole house where they were sitting...

Then there appeared to them divided tongues,

as of fire, and one sat upon each of them."

Now I know that all of Christendom has discussed and debated over this event ever since it happened...and many differences in church denominations have sprung up because of the differences in opinion over just what happened here and what it meant to all Christians everywhere.  I am not going to discuss that here, but what I do want to talk about is who we are in Christ...and what this means to each of us individually.  To do that, I need to look at I Corinthians 12:4-7

rr

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

There are differences of ministries,

but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of activities,

but it is the same God who works all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to each one for the profit of all..."

This morning I happened to pick up my friend Susie Klein's wonderful little book, Walking Butterfly~Comfy Cocoon to Flying Free  (Available HERE on Amazon.com) and turned to this particular page (Chapter Ten, page 58), and I'd like to quote what Susie wrote here. I know she won't mind...she really is a very special friend of mine, whom I met through blogging several years ago...and we formed a very genuine and precious friendship that I treasure highly...  So here is what Susie says:

"The Father designed you for a purpose.

To be loved by Him and to share that love with others.

It really is as simple as that.  When we actually believe God loves us, it changes everything.

When you know you are loved, you are free to give away that love generously and abundantly.

You know there is more where it came from;

there is no need to be stingy or protective.  

Love is generous.

God likes your personality.  He thought it up and installed it in you.

Don't ask Him to change it for a bigger, louder, quieter or fancier version.

He wants to send His love to the world through your style and version.

Are you quiet, or are you boisterous?  

Are you methodical or are your spontaneous?

He enjoys that about you.

He won't answer the prayer to change the way you've been designed.

God has created you with love.

Like one of those tags that grandmas add to a hand-knitted sweater or blanket;

Made With Love.

You are made with love to share love."

I love this, Susie!  It speaks to my heart exactly what I Corinthians 12 is trying to get across to us (if you read the whole chapter)...We are created for the purpose of serving God with the gifts that He, through the Holy Spirit, has instilled in us.

Now, one may think that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have nothing to do with our personalities or how we were made...but I beg to differ.  I believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit enhance and build upon the qualities and traits God has already built into us.  The Holy Spirit takes our propensity for boldness and fills us with the ability to use that gift for God's Kingdom.  He takes our capacity for love and gives us the desire to spread His love wherever we are.  Whatever our particular gifts and strengths are, when filled with God's Holy Spirit...those strengths are magnified and utilized for His glory throughout the world. God made us in His image, with love, and when we become His children by salvation through Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit seals us and empowers us to become all that He intended us to be from the beginning of time.

Jeepers, "It's Sunday, and I know I should write something deep and spiritual!"  Wow!  I guess the Holy Spirit did intend for me to write something from His heart to ours...and I thank Him for the inspiration...and I also thank my friend Susie Klein for her very heartfelt, honest, and down to earth book that has deeply touched my heart in so many ways.  God is using her gift to bless you and me and others today as well...and I know Susie would be very humbled and blessed to know this.

Lord, I am so thankful for Your gift of the Holy Spirit, Who came down to us at Pentecost so many years ago, and Who continues to indwell, embolden, give gifts, and empower us today to serve You and stand strong in the face of countless foes and dangers in life.  Thank you for Your gifts that give us the words to speak when needed, the capacity to love others as You have loved us, and the wisdom to know what, when , and where to be available and at Your service.  Without Your Holy Spirit guiding us we would be lost and confused and unable to be of much help in any situation.  Our own personal traits and qualities are wonderful, but when filled with Your Spirit they become tools for Your glory in Your Kingdom.  Thank You, Lord, for taking the time to shape us and mold us after Your will.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Blessed to Be a Blessing - Updated 10/22/2014

(Originally posted on 11/11/12. ) I just read this again and thought...I still feel the same way about our house and home...and in some ways, little by little, our ideas and dreams are being fulfilled. But it is taking longer than I'd like it to...I'm impatient for God to open up the heavens and floodgates and pour out His blessing on us in ways that we cannot imagine...and yet, I know He is already doing just that. I need to open my spiritual eyes to see what the Lord is doing...and keep my eyes off of the world and its circumstances that tend to drag me down. I am glad I re-read this today. I needed to be reminded of the original dream and plan...and not give up hope.  How about you? Do you need a fresh start on your dreams and plans?  Perhaps we just need to recommit ourselves and our plans to God, and remember that His timing is always perfect...and His plans are the very best!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,

Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Amen!!

Back to the Original Post:
November 11, 2012

When we came home from church today and entered the house, the very first words that came to my mind were "I am blessed to be a blessing."  We had just had a very stirring and uplifting tribute to our Veterans in our church service, and it made me feel so thankful and proud to be an American, and to live in one of the most blessed nations in the world. 



Holly Tree outside my bedroom "Open Window"
(click on pictures to enlarge)

But this is not intended to be a patriotic message.  My thoughts are on a more personal level.  I walked into my bedroom to change my clothes, and as I looked outside the windows of our room into the trees and bushes in our back yard I just suddenly felt this sense of being blessed.  There's nothing particularly special or spectacular about our trees and bushes, (although I did notice that one of the trees is a holly tree and is loaded with beautiful red holly berries...that's pretty special since I never realized it was a holly tree until recently!)

closer view of the holly berries in the tree outside my bedroom window

I just felt so overwhelmed with thankfulness for this home, in this place, at this time.  We have lived in a LOT of homes over the 43 years of our marriage.  I will not even tell you how many homes because you wouldn't believe it, and probably would not understand it, and it would take a whole book to explain it (which is the book I intend to write someday).  This home came to us miraculously almost one year ago.  No, it wasn't free...we will be paying for it for the rest of our lives, but it is affordable.  It is a house that is meant to be a blessing, and it is.  It is a blessing first of all to us. And because it is such a blessing to us, it is also meant to be a blessing to others. There is no doubt in my mind that God enabled us to have this home because He intended it to be a blessing to us, but He also intended it to be a blessing to others as well.

View outside my bedroom window

View from my bedroom window

View from my bedroom window-Large Magnolia tree on right

So, how? That is the question I've been asking ever since we came here.  The house itself is not anything particularly magnificent.  It is old, it has some issues, but nothing major that some TLC can't fix.  It's not really the physical aspects of the house that make it "special".  It is the "spiritual" aspect that creates the atmosphere for becoming a "blessing".  It's the love inside and outside these walls...it's the hope for becoming something that will bless others...it's the dream that keeps bubbling up to the surface of our minds and won't let go.  It's the drive that  keeps prompting us to "get ready for action".

Maybe it's NOT the house...maybe it's US God is preparing for action.  He has blessed US to be a blessing.  Perhaps the house was the means to get us where He needed us to be to discover the blessing He has in store for us. Possibly.  Time will tell.

What about you?  Have YOU been blessed to be a blessing? I'll bet you have. Think about it. It may not be your house, or your location. But it may be your talents, your gifts, your smile, your voice, your heart. It may be little things, like your gift for baking and sharing with others; the crafts you create and give away as gifts; your listening ears, your open heart, your compassionate soul.  You may be blessed with a gift for writing, photography, painting, music, speaking, teaching, preaching, counseling, caring. Whatever it is that God has blessed you with, the important thing is to use it for His honor and glory.  Don't let it sit idle. 

I believe our home was given to us to be used for God's honor and glory. Not just the house, but our property and our lives.  We've been preparing and getting "our house in order" in more ways than are visible to the human eye. Now we lay it before the Lord and wait for Him to show us the next step. Stay tuned. Be ready to be blessed!

Who said we don't have fall color in Florida?  These are the leaves on the Sycamore
trees in our front yard. I will miss these leaves when they all fall off the trees.

Oh, did I mention that I still want to build a little cabin in the woods?
This is the spot...If I build it, will you come? That's all a part of "the blessing"....
that is, if it is a part of God's plan. Time will tell. Stay tuned...

This will be brief...Just a Note to My "Followers"

Dear Friends and Family and "Followers", 

(I know you don't REALLY "FOLLOW" me, at least I hope not, but that is what our blogging buddies are called). Something new has been added to my blog.   I have decided to add the word verification application to my "comment section", to hopefully reduce the number of spam comments I have been receiving lately.  I also will not be accepting "anonymous" commenters, as they are usually spammers (unless I am certain I know who you are).  I know some of you are not spammers, so please try to identify yourself.  It is unfortunate that there are wierdos out there trying to attach viruses and other junk to our blog posts, but they do it all the time, and it is becoming a problem. 

Personally, I do not like to do the word verification on comments, because too often I can't figure out the letters and have to try a couple of times before I get it right! However, I don't want to discourage you from making comments, because I LOVE to read your messages.  They are such an encouragement to me and that is the main reason I keep blogging!  You are all like "old friends" and kindred spirits, sharing sweet memories and personal joys and sorrows together over a cup of tea.  I so look forward to our "conversations" and get lonesome for your smiles! 

I didn't write about my three gifts the past couple of nights, as I have been worn out and brain weary and couldn't get my thoughts together.  But if I could count three blessings or gifts tonight it would be You, and You, and You!! Every night I race to my computer to check and see what you may have written, whether it be on your own blog, or in response to mine. You often inspire me to sit here and write something totally fresh and new, something I hadn't thought about until you reminded me.  When I get to feeling a little down or discouraged, I think about YOU, and I say a little prayer of thanksgiving that God has brought us together in this mysterious and marvelous place called "cyberspace".  I often think this is just a prelude to what heaven will be like...sharing hugs and smiles and joys and hallelujahs with our friends around the Throne of God...no more sorrows or pain.  No more farewells.  Only welcoming greetings and "High Fives" between "sisters" and "brothers" in Christ. Pure Joy!!

So, please don't become discouraged in responding to something that strikes you as "comment worthy".  Hopefully I will get back in the groove and write something worth responding to here soon.  In the meantime...Count your daily blessings...or "gifts".  Look around you with eyes wide open and drink in the beauty of what God has placed in your path.  There is always something for which to give thanks.

"The Way of the Cross Leads Home"
(This cross is on the lake at the Florida Methodist Youth Camp in Fruitland Park, FL.  (Warren Willis Youth Camp)
This is where I truly committed my heart to Jesus as a teenager.  I will always thank the Lord
for this place.  Saved my life...for eternity!!!

Good Night Dear Hearts!  (((hugs)))) to all!

"Counting 1000 Gifts" Continued ~ September 7th, 2012

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:3-4

I know I have quoted these verses before...and I probably will again. They are worth repeating.  Today I am continuing my quest to count three new gifts each day, things for which I am thankful....blessings that are fresh and new and perhaps unexpected.  I am following the writing prompts of Ann Voskamp in her project "Count 1000 Gifts in 2012".  See www.AnnVoskamp.com for more details and how you can become involved.

Today's prompt is to think of "3 Gifts Given".  Perhaps this means that I am supposed to report 3 gifts that I have given.  However, today I have received  3 gifts, and I would rather share that with you.  It's really pretty amazing.

Three Gifts Given:





Today in the mail I received this gift:
"One Thousand Gifts", written by Ann Voskamp.
It is a gift from one of my dear facebook friends...one whom I have never
met personally...but she saw that I was sharing these daily gifts, and she
wanted me to have this book...from the originator of the whole idea of
"Counting 1000 Gifts" in  2012!  I can't wait to start reading it!!!
I did not ask for this gift...it was freely offered and sent....and I am in awe and mystified at the
thoughtfulness and generosity of this precious friend!  I will tell you that she comes from a family of givers, at least
I can tell you her sister has the same kind heart...for she blessed me with a wonderful gift a couple of years ago...again, totally unexpected and without expectation of receiving anything from me.  (Click on this link for more about that story)   I pray that God will give me the opportunity to meet these two sisters one day in person and be able to give them big hugs. I am always amazed when a total stranger (except for our friendship on Facebook) reaches out and blesses another just because... 




My 2nd gift "given" today was another total surprise!  This time from the Federal Government! Now THAT'S a GIFT!  When the Feds send you something totally unexpected...(and I still don't know where it came from or why I received it)...that's a miracle!  When I went to my mailbox today I was blessed with these two gifts:

The book previously mentioned, and a CHECK from the Dept. of Treasury!  Totally unexpected!  WOW!!  I still don't know why I received it...but I'm thankful no matter why!!!
God knew I needed it...and He saw to it that I received it.  Yes, In God We DO Trust!!!



Now, for my Gift's Given #3:

I didn't receive these today, but very recently.  My sweet #1 son is a gifted carpenter.  Now that the weather is cooling down some (and his day job has cut back his hours a little) he has started working in his workshop again.  He has heard me complaining that the doves have taken over my birdfeeder...sometimes there are 6 or 8 doves on there at once, hogging all the birdseed and keeping the smaller birds from being able to land on the feeder to get their share.  It's not that I don't want the doves to eat, I just want them to get back on the ground where they belong!  Doves are supposed to be ground-feeders.  SO, my son is experimenting with a couple of smaller designs of bird feeders, with the idea that hopefully the doves cannot land on them so easily and the other birds will have a chance.  I didn't get a picture of them with the birds on them, but so far the doves are still somehow managing to land and eat...only not quite as many at a time.  UPDATE 9-8-12: GO TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE AN UPDATED PICTURE

So, these are my Three Gifts "Given" for today.  They were given to me totally unexpectedly...and have blessed me in ways I cannot begin to express fully. 

All I can say is:

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man (woman) who trusts in Him!"

Psalm 34:8

Hey! What's for dinner? 

Surprise Packages...

"Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy..." Psalm 33:2-3

The past week I had some "minor" surgery..."minor" only in the sense that it wasn't "major"...not a serious illness or problem...but something that needed to be "fixed", nonetheless.  And yet, anytime we place our bodies under the complete control of others, i.e.; doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, nursing assistants, dieticians, etc...it is a "major" situation requiring the guidance and complete control of the One Who sees all and knows all and is all powerful...God Almighty.  Without Him, my "minor" surgery could have become a "major" problem.  So, I pause to give thanks, and to praise Him for His marvelous acts of kindness on my behalf. 
I can truly say with the Psalmist:

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

So, I am taking some time off from work and my daily duties and am recovering, one day at a time.  I am thankful for this time at home with my husband and two of my sons.  They have blessed me with their constant attention and ready and willing assistance (most of the time :)).  I am being spoiled, and I love it...and I think I deserve it, don't you?  :)    Seriously, I am so thankful to have my family here with me...all except for our #2 son, Matthew and his wife Nicole and our grandson, Noah, who live in Maine...too far to come for now.  But, after the year Matthew has had with his own illness...I am just thankful to know he is there, alive and well and enjoying life again! That is comfort enough for me.

Right now I am being especially blessed by some special "music" from my youngest son,  (#3 ) who recently came back home to live with us after being away and working up north for over a year.  #3 son is a unique individual (aren't we all?)...with varied talents and a gift for being very creative in a way that others may not readily see or understand.  Oftentimes the outside world never sees the inside heart and soul of a person like him, because he keeps it covered with feelings of lack of self-confidence and fear of someone discovering what is really going on under the surface and exposing his more tender side. This has always been a frustration to me as a mother, because I could  see the true talents waiting there to be discovered, but others totally missed it because he didn't meet up to their standards of ability and/or behavior.  When he was in elementary school he struggled to keep up in some areas, and yet excelled in so many others.  Unfortunately, the areas in which he struggled to keep up were the ones deemed more important to the testing authorities in "higher education".  So, that lack of confidence coupled with our frequent moves due to our service in the ministry, created a difficult educational atmosphere for our son, and he eventually dropped out of school.  After wandering around both emotionally and spiritually for a few years, he finally persevered and completed his high school diploma by taking and passing the GED exam the first time around.  I won't say that solved all his problems, but it helped restore some of his self-esteem and confidence and it was a very positive step in the right direction.

Scott, (#3), at age 11 playing the organ at Grandma and
Grandpa's house

So, anyway, to sum this up...recently when my father passed away, our son asked if there was anyway I could get the electric "Wurlitzer" organ at my parents' home.  All of the grandkids and great-grandkids loved playing this organ when visiting at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but our son had a special affinity with this instrument. You see, he spent several years living there with my parents and helping with the caregiving while my mother was failing and then also when my father was left alone after her death.  Although "#3" never had any real music lessons, he has this creative drive to make music within, and claimed that playing the organ was a form of "therapy" for him after a long day at work.  Fortunately for those around, the organ works beautifully when the player uses headphones...and this gives the instrumentalist the freedom to make any kind of music he so desires without bothering anyone else.  I always assumed this was a really good thing when our son was playing, knowing the style of music he seemed to like best.  :)

Scott (#3) today- a surprise package!

However, since our son has come home, and yes, the organ is now a part of the very crowded furnishing of our home,  he has actually taken off the headphones so that we can hear what he is playing, and we have been blessed.  I have been very pleasantly surprised at the beautiful and calming music that he has been playing for me each evening since I came home from the hospital. The melodies are soothing and tranquil, peaceful and comforting.  No, he doesn't read music...he has no idea what he is playing in the technical sense...but in the realm of melody and tone, the music is heavenly.  A gift from God...whether he realizes it or not.  It is one of those unique presents that has true presence...the presence of God's Spirit ministering to my soul. And I give thanks.

Sometimes gifts come in surprise packages....

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continuously be in my mouth."  Psalm 34:1