Skip to main content

The Kind of Gift You Love to Get for Christmas




My resolution this year is to remove old photos from my camera.   I deleted a bunch from the holidays but one photo has a story to it that I would like to share.  I call it “The Sookie Bucket” because five-year old Susanna, whom we call Sookie, came out of her room with gifts for me after unwrapping all the Christmas presents we gave her.  You should have seen the look on her face as she proudly handed me my present, her Halloween loot container minus the loot.  “This is for you, Groggy.  I want you to have it; I don’t need it anymore.”  So I inherited a bucket, a Lego piece and a soup can prop— treasures she parted with so I could have a present from her on Christmas.  I choked up.

The incident tugged my heart the same way the sermon did on Christmas Eve.  My pastor shared the well-known story of the little girl who wrapped a Christmas gift for her father only to be chastised when he opened it and found nothing inside the nicely wrapped package.  “But there is something inside it,” she cried.  “I filled it up with kisses for you.”  Shortly after, she passed away and her dad relished the box, a tangible treasure from his loving daughter’s heart.

My Sookie Bucket triggers a deeper thought as I start a new year.  Jesus gave it all to His very last breath.  His gift, a bloody sacrifice, wasn’t pretty and many misunderstood as they do even to this day.  For those of us who get it, His brokenness becomes our treasure and reason to live the abundant life!  I’m living life more fully because He gave all He had straight from His heart.

My bucket photo is neatly filed in last year’s folder but the lesson of giving urges me on in 2014.

Comments

  1. CarrieJanuary 6, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    This was beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    Wonderful post! How humbled we are at the fact that the God of all creation emptied Himself so that we might be filled with His fullness!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SharonJanuary 6, 2014 at 10:41 AM

    Oh, what a sweet story! (And, I love your name - Groggy!)

    Yes, the best presents are those given from the heart - and Jesus gave us everything He had, and everything He was, to save us.

    I am humbled by that love.

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  4. DeeJanuary 7, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    Your name..groggy ...made me smile...and oh how sweet a heart your little Susanna has. Your little Sookie bucket tugged at my heart too. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mevely317January 8, 2014 at 7:26 PM

    Oh Mary, this brought tears to my eyes!
    How blessed you are by having a 'Sookie' in your lives ... and sharing her sweet spirit with us!

    Hugs,
    Myra

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2014 at 7:40 PM

    What a sweet post. I love the Sookie gift. All the best gifts are the ones filled with love. Happy New Year to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street...
26 comments
Read more

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
24 comments
Read more

Prayer Pleeez!

I feel squeamish and thought I should tell you.  A giant stands before me and I’m using my sword, but ask for back-up.  I’m scheduled for surgery, August 25.  My journey begins with a left full knee replacement.  I will have to have the other knee done, later. My neighbors helped me find the best surgeon!  All she does is hips and knees. I’ve completed the pre-op tests, attended the class at the hospital to inform me of what to expect, and started physical therapy.  Before surgery I have to get to an acceptable range of motion.  Let’s just say, I’m not there yet. I am blessed! The PT believes in gentle therapy.  He has a low-key personality with humor.  He will be in my life for a while and I am determined to do whatever he says.  I’m improving already.  He knows his stuff. I can still visualize the surgeon’s finger pointing in my face to get a stationary bike and demanding:  “Get on it every day—take your ...
22 comments
Read more