The Package

I went to my mailbox one day this week and there was a package stuffed inside. I pried it out, excited to see who the sender might be. I immediately recognized the return name and address and tore it open.

Inside the package was a note from a dear friend and a lovely gift of tea. She simply said she'd been reading my blog, saw the tea and thought of me.

It goes much deeper than that. She is a person who has spent her life investing in people. I began to reminisce, and as I often do, took a walk down memory lane.

I'm going to use her first name, I don't think she'd mind. Kit began a Bible study for women in her home when my children were very young. Andy had just started preschool and Bailey was still at home. There were several young mothers like me but some older women came as well. What a wonderful mixture of women to come together once a week to study the scriptures. Kit opened her home showing hospitality through the serving of tea and baking of homemade breads and cakes. She poured her life into ours, loving us as Christ loves His Church. She mentored that little group of women until God called her and her husband to a larger ministry in another country.

That package triggered thoughts of my own spiritual journey and Kit's investment in my life. Just as she poured tea and the Bread of Life into me each week, it made me think, am I pouring myself into others? Am I investing myself in people instead of wasting it in things that are temporal?

We all tend to be selfish at times but real joy comes from investing in others. John 15:16-17 says: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit...fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

I think Kit has loved well. I am one of her fruit and I know many others who would say the same. She continues to bear fruit long after she has moved away. My children come behind me and they are the fruit of her as well. Who will you invest yourself in today?


Cindy