Rays of Light

A few days ago my husband and I joined the ranks of those who have been happily married for twenty years. Though it will be a bit late, we are planning to celebrate the occasion with a romantic getaway in the fall. Still, we wanted to do something cherished on the actual day- something that would be especially meaningful to our years together. We knew exactly what that would be and I was so looking forward to the spiritual and emotional closeness that our private little tradition brings.

Sadly, rather than spending this milestone anniversary day with my husband, I spent it in bed revisiting the “in sickness and in health” part of our vows. For two days I mostly slept, but it was a feverish sleep which caused me to drift back-and-forth between coherence and mental gibberish.

At one point I woke long enough for my thoughts to linger on the beautiful little gift box that has been on my dresser for more than twenty years. My sweetheart gave it to me before we were married and I have cherished it ever since. He had wanted to give me a special gift to show his love and devotion; a gift from the heart rather than a material one.

The idea was not original and we don’t know the author, but the little gift box has a laminated card attached with the following popular poem:

This is a very special gift
That you never can see,
The reason it’s so special is
It’s just for you from me.
Whenever you are lonely
Or ever feeling blue,
You only have to hold this gift
To know I think of you.
You never can unwrap it,
Please leave the ribbon tied,
Just hold the box close to your heart
Because it’s filled with love inside.

I don’t know why I thought of the little gift box during this illness; I guess my subconscious was focused on my loving husband. Snuggling with him always makes me feel better, but nasty little germs were not what we wanted to share on our special day so he stayed at arm’s length. I drifted back to sleep thankful that he was near and that he loves me.

Later, during another coherent moment, my Bible caught my eye. Though I was sluggish, my thoughts connected my husband’s prettily wrapped gift box to my Bible. That may seem like a big jump, but God has given us His word, and that is a wonderful gift of love in itself.

I cannot see God any more than I can see the contents of my little gift box, but I know He is with me. And whenever I feel lonely or blue, I can pick up my Bible to find comfort in His words. I know too, that He is always thinking of me:

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand (Psalms 139:17,18)

And unlike my gift box, my Bible is not sealed with a ribbon that cannot be untied. On the contrary; it is meant to be opened every day. Within the pages of this precious gift are countless reminders of how much we are loved by our Heavenly Father.

God’s unconditional love towards us is one of the greatest gifts we can ever receive. But He has so many other gifts He is longing to lavish upon us. I sometimes wonder, though, how many of His gifts are just sitting there unopened.

I am reminded of a story I heard years ago:

A man had a vision in which an angel escorted him to heaven. He was then taken to a large room filled with small, plainly wrapped packages. With great wonder, the man watched myriads of angels coming and going; they entered the room empty-handed but left with armloads of packages.

“What are these packages,” the man asked, “and where are the angels taking them?” “These are all gifts that are being delivered to God’s children,” he replied. “See what joy it brings the angels; this is because it pleases the Father’s heart to give His children many wonderful gifts.”

Then the angel led the man to a second, much larger room. This room was filled with beautifully wrapped gifts stacked floor to ceiling. “Are these gifts for God’s children as well?” asked the man. “Yes, these are the better gifts,” replied the angel. “Then why are these angels weeping?” asked the man. “And why are they not leaving the room?”

With sadness, the angel explained. “The Father has prepared these gifts to exceed anything that His children could ever ask or think.” A tear rolled down his cheek. “They only need to be received, but sadly, the gifts in the other room are the only ones His children will accept.”

I don’t know about you, but I am ready to embrace any gift that God wants to impart to me. I may feel unworthy to receive such wonderful blessings, but my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally and He wants to shower me with His love.

He wants to shower you with love too, even if you do not know Him. Dear reader, if you have never read the Holy Bible, or haven’t done so lately, I want to encourage you to do so without delay. It is a wonderful gift from your Heavenly Father. And like my little gift box, it too is filled with love inside; see for yourself.

Happy Anniversary Bryan! You are my soul mate and I love you dearly.