By: Jackie Brindle
I am going to be honest…. I love receiving gifts! I like giving them but it’s so fun to receive them, right!? Especially the ones that are out of the blue which can be the very thing, that makes my day! Don’t you?! Sometimes gifts don’t always have to be wrapped up, in a bag, or tied with a bow, either. I got one tonight and it wasn’t wrapped up at all! Want to know what it was?
Then, take a walk with me down memory lane and meet my grandmother, Leah Rubin. She was a fabulous and lovely lady. Always mints in her bags, shoulders back, lipstick on, and a love for sweets! She is no longer with us, but there are days I think of her. A memory of her, can pop up in my head by looking at a picture, eating coffee ice cream or a bagel and cream cheese (because those were her go tos). Oh, and anytime I hear the song, “You are My Sunshine”, or sing it to my own children, it makes me think of her. That happened to be one of my grandmom’s favorite songs to sing to us, especially on long car rides.
Tonight, I got the most beautiful and unexpected gift. It wasn’t anything anyone bought me, nor anything I was hinting about to get. I happened to be on my run, when I glanced up at the most incredible painted clouds dancing upon the sky. It literally took my breath away! It was like the gates of heaven were opening up from above. I was frozen, in awe of the sunshine piercing their way through the cloud.
Of course, in true Jackie fashion, I paused to take a picture of it. Breathed in the fresh air and let it out slowly, standing. Thinking, how can this be real!? It was the best gift that kept on giving (although pictures never do it any justice).
As I continued on my run, I thought about my grandmom in that moment. I let her smile marinate in my mind. I thought about one time in particular I had with her, when there was a storm at night and my twin sister and I were sleeping over. I missed my parents and was upset over the loud storm. We were probably 5 or 6 years old, at the time.
We heard the thunder dashed to her doorway of her room. I saw her reading the newspaper as she wore her glasses that slipped down to the edge of her nose. My grandfather was doing the same beside her. My grandmother glanced above the black and white pages.
She put down the paper and invited us in, with a smile and her arms swung open wide. We rushed over to her, stayed up and listened to the sounds as she wrapped us up in her soft arms. My grandfather told us stories and jokes, to cheer us up too.
This memory was such a gift! It opened up more memories like a river rushing down stream. I was instantly reminded of what she used to call me. My “precious”. She really knew how to make me feel so special, with the warm glow of her smile much like the golden hour sunset. The gleaming sparkling grayish blue eyes that lit up, when I walked in the room, that mirrored the clouds in the evening sky. That feeling is something I will always treasure and carry with me. That simple wink from God was a life giving gift in that moment.
The memories that flooded back, tonight, really put things in perspective on how God sees me…. us. I think He sees us all as, His "precious" child.
Open Arms.....and doors open wide, waving us onward to Him!
I imagine Him smiling down on us like the rays of sun through a cloud. No matter how cloudy the day gets or how we feel when we are living life, rolling through the motions, I believe God is right there for us. Giving us that little wink, a memory, a sunset, a gift for us to open if we are so bold to look up.
I think He examines our hearts, much like my grandmother or that special person you are thinking of, that sees only the best in you.
If you need some reminding today of how “precious” you are. Listen up and let these words soak in to encourage and inspire you.
I want you to know that you are already so incredibly creative, talented, smart, and beautiful inside and out. No one else compares to you! I know I don’t see all the things that you are doing, behind the scenes, but God does. I get it. Days can sometimes run altogether or there are days I need that little piece of love from up above to shine a light on my path to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Take a look outside. Look at the stars. You are among many, yet no one is like you. Let this moment stir up all the goodness of those memories of that person, who sees you just as you are!
It says in 2 Peter 1:4 He has given us great and precious promises.
If you are feeling stuck and in a rut, even still, I encourage you to lean into those promises of God in His word. It may be the very thing that lifts you up like hearing the song, “You are my Sunshine”.
I hope taking a walk down memory lane and listening to my memory becomes a gift to you. The very thing to lift you up, smile, and leave you with a new memory that’s life giving to you!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Sometimes you seem far away. Life can be easily filled with distractions that draw me farther away from you. The truth is you never leave my side and you are always there with arms opened wide. Thank you for never leaving my side. I appreciate the way you remind me of the sweetest memories among days that are harder than others. Help me to put my trust in you, and that you have set me apart, among all the people in the world....for your glory! Help me to seek you in the day, as it is a gift that I will always treasure.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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