I think most people who do laundry would agree--it's nice to find money
when doing the wash. Bonus bucks discovered, having tumbled out of
someone's pocket, in the washer or dryer. Last time I did laundry I
found three dollars in the washing machine.
It put a smile on my face. I felt lucky, like I won the lottery or
something.
I know it's only three dollars, besides the fact that it was mine to
begin with; it came out of my pocket. But it still felt like I won a
prize. It always does when that happens--feels like an unexpected
reward. Right away, though, I get smug. I think, "That's
right! Whoever does the laundry gets to keep the spoils!" Then I feel
like kind of a jerk. But this time it was legit. The money was mine.
More of a perk of forgetting to empty my pockets than anything else.
Today I saw two bluejays and a bright red cardinal in the tree right
outside my window. I had to smile, a big deep down inside smile,
because I needed that encouragement. I always do. It wasn't anything I
did that brought this present of loveliness into my life.
I just got to receive it. A Christmas gift.
I am wretchedly sad that many people don't know how loved they are by
God. The Christmas hymn of the year for me is, "O Come O Come
Emmanuel." The longing expressed in the words and melody is profound. I am
thankful for this song at this time. Because it brings
forth what is often trapped inside me, and comes out in tears, as I
listen to what is our common deepest desire. It has been answered.
Whether we know it or not.
