Forks and spoons...

I have not shied away from writing how conflicted I am at Christmas, the commercialism of it all, the season it has become.  The parties and food and visits.  So many despair of the busyness of the season and all the things they have to do and I scratch my head.  We don't have to do anything.  Christmas is not about that.  Not at all.

So many individuals and families go deep into debt chasing after giving the perfect gifts.  Heck, it seems much of our economy revolves around the retail activity of the season, from Black Friday to post-Christmas sales. For me, such a thought brings such deep sorrow to my heart.  For that is not what Christmas is about.

However, as I have also said before, I love receiving gifts.  I would by lying if I did not mention that again.  This year, this Christmas, I am very thankful to have received gift cards that will enable me to purchase a small shop vac as an alternative way to cleaning the basement and main floors and allow me to no longer carry my vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs.  I am also thankful for the money that I used to replace my primary shoes that had broken soles and purchase two new sweaters since I am now living in a colder climate--ones that actually fit, given that I shrunk out of most of my clothing!  And I am thankful for a generous contribution toward getting a new mattress to replace the one I purchased for me back in 1995, something that should help me sleep better.  These are a sampling of the gifts I received this year.

But, honestly, I think the most Christmas of gifts that I received were a bag of plastic spoons and the promise of forks to follow.  Panera spoons and McDonald's forks.  Ethel, learning of the utensils that best fit my needs, set out on a quest to get me some.  A couple of donations later, she made my life truly better.

Jesus came not to steal, to kill, or to destroy, but so that we might have life and have it abundantly (John, 10:10).  To me, while it is certainly no sin to enjoy the good things of this life, the kind of gift I think of when I think of a Christmas gift truly is a bag of plastic spoons and a box of plastic forks.  Not just any type of spoon and fork, but the very ones that fit my hands and my mouth best, that are easiest for me to use.  Eating is more palatable, more enjoyable, a richer, fuller experience for me when I use them.

Frankly, I would never have thought to ask for a donation of spoons and forks.  I would always bring one home when I went to Panera or McDonald's, but eating out is really not all that much of an option after 13 months of unemployment.  However, I wouldn't have ever thought a manager would be willing to share extras without eating there.  To be honest, I would never have thought I was worth a donation.  I mean, I can eat with metal utensils and I can purchase plastic ware from Target or Walmart, even if they are not the best fit.  I am not worthy of a donation. Not at all.

I was not, am not, worthy of any of the gifts of Christmas, the gifts of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection.  They are given because I am loved beyond measure, cherished more than I can fathom.  They are given out of a desire that I might have an abundant life.  But, still, I think who am I to receive good gifts?  After all, I know what a wretched sinner I am. I wish I didn't know just how wretched I am.

Yet Ethel sees not only the wretch.  She sees me as the bride of Christ, one robed in splendor, pure and without blemish...one certainly worthy of good gifts.  She sees me not as I do. I would never think to ask.  Ethel's first thought was to ask.  If there is something that is helpful to me, something that would make my life more abundant after a fashion, her wish is for me to have such a thing showered upon me.

I opened the package from Fred and Ethel, pulled out the bag of spoons, and laughed with joy.  In that moment, once again, I was reminded how my Creator knows my needs and seeks to meet those needs through others of His creation...even when I do not think to ask...even when my heart's desire is not spoken. I was reminded that He does so because I am loved and cherished, because in Christ I am pure and without blemish.

Forks and spoons are the things of Christmas.  I know this to be true even if the world does not.


Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief!