August 10, 2012

• {i think i saw a piece of God today}
  
  it’s rained for two days solid.
  i love rain.
  but. how quickly i miss the sun.

  add on top of rain a sore throat/ cough that won’t go away and yes..
  i kinda woke up this morning with a bit of a dreariness inside to match the out.

  it seemed from the minute my feet hit the floor there were demands from every side.
  this kid needed to be this place by this time. another for a friend to be picked up by then.
  and another a movie date with my friend and her two girlies..
  if only i could find the phone charger to plug in my cell to answer the text to confirm the time!
  which, suddenly i remember catching baby girl chewing on it the other day…
  perhaps she went back later and just ate the whole thing!!
  and that’s my conclusion since the charger is NO WHERE!!

  and so went the nutty morning. and pop tarts for breakfast. and plans made. and people flying out doors.
  and glad daddy was home and could help get people flying out doors at the times they needed.
  and in the midst of my own, about to fly out the door…
  i notice the stack of mail he’s brought in. setting next to his computer on the table.

  a small, white little envelope on the top.
  the pretty scripted handwriting catches my eye.
  i feel a little leap that it’s my name on it.
  how i love good old fashioned snail mail.
  real words you can hold in your hands!
  it always makes me smile.

  i pick it up and see the vintagy looking edith piaf and miles davis stamps.
  my mind rolls around the 3 or 4 friends that the scripty handwriting could be from. who would choose stamps like that.
  i turn it over quickly and smile bigger at the return address.
  of course, yes, clarita!

  i think it must be a thank you for the baby gift i sent.
  i turn it over a few more times as one of the kids calls to me from the front door.
  i know i’m late and i half want to take it with me, but mentally tell myself to look forward to it when i get home…

  fast forward more running in and out doors.
  craziness. soaking wet from the rain. more than once.
  a trip to pick up kids. drop off. to the grocery store. the video store.another stop for wings.
  kids that ran in puddles tracking in grass and mud. showers. baths. pj’s. late dinner of wings and a movie.

  all this while the little card sitting contently in it’s spot as we hustled and bustled about it.

  finally. with a happy sigh. tucking it in my book and heading to the tub myself.. the first time of quiet all day.
  i look at the cool stamps again.
  opening the envelope slowly..
  the white words across the black background, “you are my sunshine” meet my eye when i pull out the card..
  i find myself at once humming the song in my head as i open the card and begin reading.

  as i do, something square and light falls out. almost right into the water if i hadn’t caught it.
  i know right away what it is. my eyes grow larger as i fold it back and look at the amount…
  swallowing hard and feeling a mixture of gratefulness and just.. just, so humbled.

  my eyes go through the words. and i see at the end. it’s not one friend, but many. from all over. spread far apart.
  and the memo line on the cheque reads – camera fund.
  my eyes get blurry just now even writing that. and i still find myself a bit at a loss for words.
  i was so moved.

  and the gift. yes, of course. the thoughtfulness.. well, it blows me away. that kind of kindness.
  but even more – - times like this when you feel, and you know, without a doubt..
  these people. these friends. they are God in skin to you and it’s as if you’ve seen a glimpse of HIM, because of them.

  and i just felt tonight i had to say this publicly.
  for anyone who’s had this happen. well, you know.
  to anyone who’s ever felt something laid on your heart – -
  don’t ever underestimate the power it holds.
  the type of gift doesn’t matter.
  there are gifts we all can give.

  and when you feel it on your heart.. give.
  whether words. time. prayer. money. a meal. a smile. a tight hand squeezing understanding.

  you never know but what you give..
  won’t cause God to come just a little bit closer to that one because of it.

  thank you girls.
  my God in skin kind of friends~ 

  

  amber.

  • 10:55 pm
  • 27 Comments