The Christmas Ornament Miracle

‘…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.’ Matthew 6:20 (NIV)

A lifelong friend of mine recently posted an experience she had on Facebook.  It so touched my heart that I asked permission to write about it.  Thank you, Bennita, for allowing me this privilege.

Bennita has, over the years, accumulated quite a collection of Christmas ornaments.  Many of these ornaments are antiques.  She decided to sell some of them, for various reasons, and so she put them on Ebay, by lots.  She sold three lots of them, the third one bringing in $42.00.  She felt this was a nice price, so she decided to sell one more lot.

This fourth lot was made up of the most beautiful of the antique ornaments Bennita had decided to sell.  Since they were even more lovely than the previous lots of ornaments, she expected them to fetch an even higher price.  She felt quite disappointed when the lot sold for only $5.00.

However, because my friend is the kind of person she is, she accepted the sale, thanked the buyer, and mentioned that she got a great deal.  The big surprise was yet to come for Bennita.

The buyer wrote back.  She explained that she and her husband were moving from one state to another, and in the process all of his family’s antique Christmas ornaments were broken.  He was, of course, heartbroken.  Because he had lost both of his parents earlier this year, it was just that much more difficult for him to deal with.

The wife had been searching the internet, in hopes of finding antique Christmas ornaments that resembled the ones lost.  When she came upon Bennita’s ornaments, she knew they were the closest she had seen.  They looked very much like the ones that were broken.  So, she bought them.

When my friend read the message, she realized that her disappointment was someone else’s blessing.  But, when all was said and done, she also received a blessing.  These are her words, not mine, ‘Thank You, Lord, for showing me to not question what You do, but to trust that You are creating a very special blessing for someone every time!  I’m so grateful for the things You teach me in my daily life…’.

We all can take a lesson from this true story.  Though we feel disappointed when something we had high expectations for turns out much differently, let’s give thanks.  When we experience that ‘let down’ sensation, let’s give praise.  And when we think that someone else got blessed while we got the raw end of the deal, let’s bow down before Him.  He knows exactly who needs what, and who they need it from, and why they need it, and why you may be the one to provide the catalyst for the blessing, or even the miracle, that will be received.  We must learn to share our blessings, not to keep them to ourselves, and not to regret the joy that flourishes when we share them.  It may be a simple Christmas ornament, or a good deed, possibly merely a kind word, that lifts a head, tempers the pain, and heals a broken heart.  And, as my friend can attest to, what happens in our hearts is beyond earthly words.

‘As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.’ Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Blessings!