The following story is fiction. Or maybe not.
Chads dad reached across the vast table to hand him his gift. Instead, Chad just looked at the package.
Time stood still.
Could this be what he had been longing for all his life? Chad kept his wishes to himself. Only because he was always modifying what he was hoping for.
Could dad automatically know what I want? What I despearately need and can’t find the words to express?
His hearts desire was based upon his mood so there was no telling if this package held it.
Should he take it? Accepting this gift had the potential to make or break his heart. He felt his whole future would forever be impacted. Was it worth the risk?
Chads mind drifted off to a million different disappointments.
What about your promise? Dad was going to give us the vacation of a lifetime, then mom got sick, squelching our plans. She died. Not one for goodbyes, her last words to me, “I’ll see ya later.” Did she know something I didn’t? I miss her so much ‘cuz she made up for the lack of dad.
Chads dad was a professor with many of his teaching assignments worldwide. He explained that it was a benefit to the students for him to go to them, because they weren’t able to come to him. Yeah, whatever.
I know he loves me. He was forever sending little gifts to let me know he was thinking of me. Some of them were neat, but others made me wonder what he was thinking. Like what was up with the book on American Indians? He knows I’m not into books. Besides its history, who cares what life was like back then? This is now.
Chads head swirled with what ifs…?
His dad set the gift in front of him. He had to deal with it. Others were watching, waiting for his response. The pressure was intense.
Taking a closer look at the package, Chad recognized the wrap. He’d seen it before.
Good old mom, waste not want not, seemed to be her theme in life.
Why dispose of perfectly good wrapping paper that can be reused at a later time.
The time was now. Seizing the moment he took the gift. Being incredibly right is a weird feeling, it did change life as he knew it.
This scene is played out on a daily basis. Different people in various places, even the circumstances aren’t the same. But the same gift of accepting Jesus’ love is offered time and again.
We all know love expressed comes in many forms, but a healthy love always wants what is best and there is nothing’ bester’ than Jesus’ love.
Chad hit the nail on the head, his choice did affect the future, not just in the here and now, but for all eternity. I believe people are watching, both from above and the ones around us.
By the way, the change in us is for the better. The Good Book gets dusted off, language is tidied up, behavior upgrades, and the rewards are supersized beyond imagination.
Remember the commercial from long ago for the new Life cereal? Siblings place the cereal in front of Mikey to try, and he liked it!
This life is new, but Mikey and Chad liked it and you will too.
One Day Wonders with JBK 