Soft, sturdy, strong, flexible…Kleenex: poking out of the box; just waiting attentively like a child holding up his hand to be received and taken. I have taken hold of hundreds of dollars worth of tissues in my lifetime. Some of these small squares of comfort have been given to me by strangers, friends, and relatives. Most I have taken hold of myself, purchased through my own investment. They come in all sizes, patterns, and even softness.

I have used them at every age. For when my block tower fell, when I scraped my knee, and when I learned about the subjectivity of fairness. All these experiences are timeless and follow me into each birthday. As I age the block tower represents different expectations, the stumbles represent different pains and the struggle with fairness represents different points of view; however, the tissues continue to comfort me. They help me wipe away tears of anger, sadness, thankfulness, and joy. And let’s not forget those times I laugh so hard my side hurts and tears tickle my dimples (thanks, Mom).

I have several boxes positioned throughout the house. One box is in the kitchen where I cut onions, have family share time, and read stories from the morning paper. One box is in my bedroom where I study His word and toss around a day’s worth of thoughts. And another box is in the computer room where I write and pay the bills. All of which can bring the need for tissues!!

Funny thing about Kleenex is that they can’t do their job unless you grab one. I can walk by a box a million times over with tears streaming down my face, but the tissue will never be able to wipe my tears away until I receive it and take it to my source of need.
 
How many times, I wonder, have I walked right past Christ when He is patiently waiting for me to take hold of Him for refuge, strength, and renewal? He wants to share in both my joys and my sorrows. He desires to comfort me. At times, He uses other people in all sizes, patterns, and even varying levels of softness to reach out to me. Other times, He simply waits attentively like a child holding up His hand to be received and taken. What a humbling thought to know Christ patiently waits for each of us.

No sniffle is too small. No joy is insignificant. Best part…the tissues never run out, and they are paid for by His grace and His son. He is, indeed, the world’s Kleenex.