Gift of Love

During Christmas the kids have always made something special at school for the parents . I couldn't wait to see what our youngest was making as our other two kids are teenagers. Needless to say, I haven't received something like this for quite some time and I always treasure whatever the kids have made.



This year, our 1st grader, Alivia, was very excited about her gift. Carefully wrapped and tied, hidden inside was something that she had made with her tiny hands. No Made in China sticker on this gift, for this was a one of a kind creation by Alivia. I couldn't wait until Christmas to open it.



I had watched as she carefully pulled it out of her backpack and laid it on the table. Then she looked at me with the biggest smile and said, "Mom, since I don't ever get to see Uncle Willie, I made this for him." Oh my, I thought. "Uncle Willie?" I sweetly asked her as I picked it up and checked the name on the package in case she was mistaken. In pencil was spelled out To: Uncle Willie Love, Alivia. "I never get to see him and I want him to know that I love him. It has my picture on it and he never gets to see my face, so this way he'll be able to see my face." I held the gift in my hand and told her how sweet that was of her and how much he'll love it.



When our daughter Alivia, was only 2 years old my brother-in-law, Will visited us. My husband Gene returned to college after a 20 year break and completed his degree so his brother surprised him and flew down for the graduation ceremony.


Will arrived while the two older kids were in school and Gene was at work so Alivia had Uncle Willie all to herself. This was the first time they met and it was love at first sight for both of them. Well, it did take her awhile to warm up, but once she did she was stuck in her Uncle Willie's arms. He spent hours with her outside playing with her and singing the Itsy-Bitsy spider song to her until she could sing it along with him. To this day, at the ripe old age of six, she still talks about him teaching it to her, as that is one of her first memories.



Since we live in the Midwest and my husband's relatives all live down South, we don't get to see each other often. Alivia hasn't seen her Uncle Willie since we visited him and his family 2 years ago, but the love she has for him is still as strong. Reminds me of how it is with God. We don't "see" him in the physical, but we know He's there and we know He loves us. Even though Alivia doesn't get to see her uncle, she doesn't doubt the love he has for her and doesn't stop loving him. And even though there are miles that separate them she wants him to see her face.


Oh, if this is what it means to come to Jesus like a child I want it. I want Jesus to see my face even when I can't see His. I want Him to know I am thinking about Him and I love Him. Just like when Alivia fell in love with her uncle when she met him, I want Jesus to know that since the day I was introduced to Him I have loved Him.



If Uncle Willie is reading this, please know I haven't opened your gift like I wanted to and I promise to send it to you soon. :)

May we approach our King like a child with a picture of our face that shows the love we have for Him.

~Many Blessings~

Lelia