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.
This was beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonderful 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!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a sweet story! (And, I love your name - Groggy!)
ReplyDeleteYes, 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!
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. ♥
ReplyDeleteOh Mary, this brought tears to my eyes!
ReplyDeleteHow blessed you are by having a 'Sookie' in your lives ... and sharing her sweet spirit with us!
Hugs,
Myra
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