One Of A Kind

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

As we traveled through the hours of driving, Sarah and I listened to stories and visited each other.  We were running out of CDs. I hesitated to put on the Christmas carol CD that Daddy gave to us, when we lived in Maryland. I knew it would make me miss him so much, but I knew he meant for us to enjoy its happy music, and praises to God.  At least I wanted Sarah to be able to enjoy it. 

It was about the middle of the third song, when Sarah was crying in the back, saying, “Mommy, I used to like the Christmas songs, but now it seems like the only thing they’re saying is, ‘Grandfather’s not here. Grandfather’s not here. Grandfather’s not here.”  How well she described my feelings!

A few days later, as Sarah and I headed for groceries, we hoped to bless someone’s day, the way Auntie Marie does. She buys a treat for the cashier and gives it to them with the receipt and a Bible tract.  We stashed a few tracts in our pocket.

As we approached the store, we saw a grandmother-looking lady and a lady about my age ringing the Salvation Army bell.  The younger one was singing carols by herself, w/ no accompaniment, just using her hymn book. I joined her carol and Sarah put her gift into the barrel. The ladies we so happy to have someone join in, and Sarah and I sang more carols.  When we finished, we had a tract in hand to give them. Yet, before we could give them ours, they handed one to us!  I laughed for joy and showed them the one we had planned to give.

Sarah went inside to buy the ladies some drinks and treats with her gift money and savings.

Margaret, the elder of the two ladies, was born a Siamese twin, whose brother died at 6 months old.  She wasn’t expected to live past 1yr. and was predicted to be a vegetable.  Her bone was eaten away ( ½ inch in one place I think ).  She had cancer, but through prayer, God healed her and filled in her bone. She now has been a widow for 11yrs. Also, she just lost her sister this year.  She knows grief and God’s comfort.  She was able to pray for us with great compassion for Mother, who is missing Daddy so very much! 

We sang more songs until our voices wore out. Sometimes others passing by would join us too.  The singing wasn’t that lovely by musical standards, but it was very joyous, and by passers showed they were happy for it.  Even one of the store employees (who was the choir director for years) said he was hearing us from his office, and couldn’t wait to join us for at least one carol.

The ladies kept joyously saying how kind God was to send us there that day.  And I kept thinking how precious it was to be able to carol.  When we were doing it to spread the Gospel, it was easier for us not to cry.  This time I felt like the music was saying, “This is what Grandfather wanted! This is what Grandfather wanted! This is what Grandfather wanted!”