The Unexpected Gift of an Acquaintance
Nine years ago I attended a different church, lived in different town, and had a different set of friends. Everything was moving along smoothly until my eyes started giving out on me to the point where I couldn’t “fake” being normal as well as I had just months prior. Although my Sunday School class was a remarkable group, I had never shared with them that I had a degenerative eye disease. I kept that to myself.
That same year we lost a Sunday School member to cancer. She specifically asked me to visit her daily during her final weeks. I certainly wasn’t her closest friend; in fact, I was more of an acquaintance. I may never know why she kept asking me to return day after day. She wanted me to sing old hymns and read scripture to her. I gladly obliged, never feeling more humble than when I softly sang, “You are My Sunshine” to her days before she was received by God.
During the time after our class celebrated her life we grew closer than ever. Stories were told, pains revealed, and healing emerged. In this safe haven of His servants, I briefly mentioned my eye condition, but kindly asked my class to refrain from discussing the topic further.
A few weeks later I was invited to a pampering party. We were sipping punch, eating petits fours, and enjoying looking over the makeup, polish, and bath samples. Everyone gradually settled into the hostess’s living room with a shade of nail polish and a full tummy. It was time for the pedicures.
I had stopped painting my toes several months before. I hated to admit it but my recent attempts looked like a three-year-old trying miserably to color within the lines. My cheeks flushed, and I felt the back of my neck heat up with embarrassment. I didn’t know what to do as I looked around the room at all the ladies painting their toes pink, purple, and champagne pearl. Just then something spectacularly unexpected happened…
She certainly wasn’t my closest friend; in fact, she was more of an acquaintance. I may never know what prompted her to come over to me. Without uttering a single word she slipped off my flip-flops and began PAINTING MY TOES PINK! I never felt more humbled and thankful. Her action went well beyond giving me a pedicure. She painted my soul with His love. I quietly thanked her for her simple, selfless act of kindness. I cried that evening looking at my pretty toes.
These experiences remind me of the old quote that goes something like, “there is a time to sit by the fire, and there is a time to chop wood.” She chose to act…she chose to chop wood so I could enjoy the fire.
Indeed there is a time and place for everything, and during this holiday season may we challenge ourselves to reach out beyond “I’ll pray for you” and into the sometimes more dirty work of picking up an axe and chopping wood. We can each be the unexpected gift of an acquaintance.
Thank you, dear friends, family, and acquaintances for all the many times you have chopped wood for me. I am ever so thankful for your warmth and love.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Through all of the praise and healing, even the Lord our God found the time to wash the feet of His disciples. Showing God's generosity is not something that is innate in our human"ness". Our Lord desires us to show grace and generosity to our "neighbors" whether they be our dear friends or mere acquaintances. It reminds me of the Year of Jubilee. After 49 years of working the fields, the 50th year would result in the people of Israel forgiving debt, returning land, and starting anew. A perfect reflect of God's generosity. If we are obedient to His word, paying it forward for receiving His generosity and grace is the greatest gift of His Season.
I love you Tiff. Merry Christmas
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I work in Frisco just across the street from Stonebriar Centre, the mall Mecca of the DFW Christmas shopping world. This prime location allows me to witness firsthand the bargain-glazed, parking spot-crazed, gotta get it now even if I have to mow 'em down on the way mentality that has become all too familiar and synonymous with the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. Sitting in my Frisco office, I also overlook the Dallas North Tollway, and at any point of the day, I see cars passing by - some racing north and others headed south. Most days, I stop to observe them because I want to be in one of those cars. Maybe they are headed home ready to curl up on the couch with a good book or an old movie; maybe they are headed to work and to a job that might be more exciting than mine seems in that moment; and surely there's a few that are even headed to the mall to join the rest of the mission-minded shoppers, list in hand and wallets open wide. They are missionaries, so to speak, whose ministry of the moment is an iPod, a laptop, a Wii, the latest American Girl doll or a fabulous new outfit. This afternoon, however, I wonder if these travelers aren't headed to or headed from something a little more meaningful - something more in line with the true season's Spirit.
Today I wonder if perhaps some of those drivers, even the passengers they bravely carry with them on this day's journey, might be pointed toward God's Campfire and soon will feel the warmth of the spirit-fire as they receive the God-given s'mores . Or perhaps these roadsters are on their way to receiving the Unexpected Gift of an Acquaintance, and soon will be headed home with pretty pink toes and a soul painted just as perfectly. Better yet, perhaps they carry with them in their car a box of Kleenex, ready to be received and taken...like Christ.
In these observations, I realize today how blessed each of us is to be able to receive the words Tiffany writes - words that help us each remember what the season really means. Tiffany's blogs, like the Painter's Brush, transform life's simplest actions and insignificant artifacts into a work of His art. As Tiffany has so often subtly and eloquently reminded us through her writings, if you look, you'll find God's signature on life's canvas - not in the lines at the mall or in the sea of brake lights and honking horns, but in the simple messages - heard by those who choose to listen and spoken by those who choose to share. Like the ringing of the bell in It's a Wonderful Life (every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings), Tiffany's writings can be the sleigh of your salvation, should you choose to take a ride. In the insanity of the holiday that is upon us, I am thankful that Tiffany has taken the time to help us each recognize the true Spirit of the season. Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
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It has been a while since I had the time to read the stories on your site. So today I took the time to catch up an all of them and I must say that God has truly blessed you with a very special gift.
You have within you the ability to make the most mundane things and events special and unique to everyone. The ability to make others see the world through a different lens so to speak. I come here expecting nothing and leave with a new perspective on my world around me. What was overlooked will never be so again.
Thank you for caring enough about the rest of us to share these wonderful stories. You are a light in the darkness which allows the rest of us to see....keep shining!!
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Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also..
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