What's Inside Your House?

A lesson about giving from the inside out...

"Don't get too excited," my sweet friend said over the phone, as she let me know that she was bringing over Christmas gifts for me and my family, and that the bags would be left on my front porch. "What I have for you isn't much, but God told me to look around my home, and as I did, I heard Him ask me, 'What's inside your house?' So I'm giving you what I feel God wants me to give to you. Oh, except for the little stuffed animal I have for Ahlyssa... He nudged me in the store and told me it was okay, so I bought that gift for her. Other than that, all of what you'll find in the sacks were things that came from inside of my house."

I wonder if my friend will ever know the true impact those four simple words, "what's inside your house," had on my life. Or the impact this Godly, wisdom-filled question would have on the lives of all those I have had the privilege of sharing the story with, as well as those yet to come. I pray she does. I pray that God will bless her life so abundantly, more than she has ever yet received.

My friend is a true prayer warrior, the kind of woman who doesn't mind if God wakes her up in the middle of the night. Someone who doesn't hesitate for a second if He gently nudges her to stop whatever she's doing at the time and pray for someone in the middle of her typical daily routine. If He awakens her, she makes her way to her prayer closet, a room dedicated to time spent with Him. She is committed to praying for those in need of intercession: all those who need someone to lift them up to Him for healing, a need, or even a want. It doesn't matter why they need it. If she has them listed in her prayer journal, you can rest assured she takes each penned name seriously, and she will be praying for them.

She has become such an encouragement to me when she shares the times that God has spoken to her at specific moments. She doesn't hesitate to speak God's truths into the lives of others when He directs her to share with them. She is my God-sent angel, whom I lovingly call "my sis." I thank God for placing her in my life and the lives of my family.

So when she explained that God had asked her that pivotal question, "What's inside your house?", I had no doubt that the question came from Him. She reads the Bible consistently and shares times when the scriptures speak into her life and circumstances, as well as times when they speak into the lives of the people she prays for. This time it would be 2 Kings, chapter 4, which tells of the widow's oil.

This widow was a woman who didn't have enough oil in her house to pay her dead husband's creditors. She was sure they would take her two sons as slaves. Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?", to which she replied, "Your servant has nothing at all, except a little oil." Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."

She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

Isn't it just like God to create multiplying miracles? It brings true meaning to the phrase "stretching the dollar" in today's oil-and-clay-jars economy, doesn't it?

A time like this, where the economy has plummeted downward. When our nation seems to be teetering on disaster, when jobs are becoming scarce, and good, decent people are losing their homes. A time when so many have found the life sucked out of the Christmas giving spirit. A time when many, instead of attending parties and get-togethers, decide to stay behind closed doors. Closed doors that might give the false appearance of an overly booked holiday schedule, making it impossible to accept any more invitations for this season, while all along praying God's protection from the world finding out that they too could barely afford to pay their bills, let alone buy another gift for yet another party.

Some even find the holiday spirit dissolving away with each teardrop, asking God how they are going to afford to place even one gift for their loved ones under the tree this year. Struggling through the year as it became almost impossible, and at times unbearable, to continue with the outward, impressive, pretty false facade, as the inward heart reached its rupture point. That point where one begins to question whether or not God really meant it when He said He wouldn't let go of us, even when barely hanging on seemed to be the hardest thing to do at the moment.

I pondered all these things as we came home from running errands, and sure enough, the bags of presents awaited us right there on the front porch where my friend said they would be. As we made our way inside and began to unwrap these heartfelt gifts, I fought back tears, and a lump in my throat, all resulting from a joy-filled heart. With each precious gift, I knew all too well that our loving God had indeed whispered His assistance to her in choosing which items would speak love into my life. Gifts chosen with such a personal "me" meaning, which my friend could never have known on her own, having only become friends a short while before.

The first gift opened belonged to our Ahlyssa. Opening the plastic bag, she squealed with excitement as she hugged the cutest little Christmas bear, all dressed in red. Her smile and excitement reminded me of an important fact we sometimes forget, especially in times such as these: it doesn't really take anything more than a true heartfelt gift, no matter what it is, to bring a smile of thankfulness and appreciation from the one who is receiving.

Oh, I know what you're thinking. I go there too! I want to buy my loved ones everything their hearts desire, whether it is something for the little ones or the grownups: children, grandchildren, parents, family, friends, and especially things for my wonderful, loving husband. I don't like feeling that there are things they want or desire to have, only to realize that I can't buy these things for them. I know how it feels. It hurts.

And yet I was once again reminded of the simplicity of thankfulness found on the face of a little ten-year-old girl as she hugged the little Christmas bear to her chest, running off to her room to introduce this new member of her little family to the rest of her stuffed family members.

On to the next gift, which brought about my own smile of thankfulness. Inside a beautiful Christmas-decorated wooden box were two tubes of lipstick, two containers of hand soap, and furniture polish. Gifts that would clean, protect, and beautify my wood furniture, hands, and lips. Seeing these items that bring a clean, fresh look about them reminded me of the scriptures where God's Word says, "Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me," and the one that says, "The old is gone; behold, all things are new." And then I was reminded of a particular song's lyrics, "All I've ever really wanted were clean hands and a pure heart," which plays on my iPod shuffle during my devotions, or sometimes when I exercise. All wonderful, thoughtful gifts. However, it would be the next plastic-bag-wrapped gift that would unwrap all the significance and joy of what my friend had bestowed. Even the timing of this gift's unwrapping was God-ordained too, for it was at this point that my 92-year-old dad made his way into the room.

As I opened the plastic bag, I discovered a box of chocolate covered cherries. I looked up and saw that Dad was also staring at the gift, and realized that he was mirroring the same expression that was on my face. "Well... guess who would be smiling a great big smile right now, Dad?", as if I didn't already know that he was thinking the same thing to himself. "Your momma, that's who!" he answered, his speech broken as his chin quivered, a sure sign that he too had been caught up in the emotion of Mom memories from years gone by.

Years of watching Mom's joyful smile as she unwrapped her Christmas gift of chocolate covered cherries. The smile where her eyes would almost disappear into oblivion, because she knew that one of the wrapped gifts under the tree would always be a box of these delectable treats. The smile that would cause her inherited Indian high cheekbones to appear even more pronounced, as she smiled that beautiful big smile that only she could smile!

This little box of chocolate covered cherries also caused me to remember Dad's special gift... a can of cashews!

Yep, Dad knew there would always be a wrapped gift in the shape of a short round can, either under the tree or in his Christmas stocking. Both parents, who opened these two specific gifts every year, always showed their appreciation with a smile of thankfulness. Their responses were witnessed time and time again. And myself, as a gift-giving child, believed her parents' reactions to the newly opened gifts were brought about by their unknowing surprise and gladness. Of course, I realized later in life that it was their knowing certainty of what was underneath the gift wrap, followed by the anticipation of enjoying the taste of that yearly gift, that brought about their reactions. Ah, the memories! From a simple box of chocolate covered cherries.

And as if these gifts were not enough, God would use one more gift from this dear friend. One more gift whose impact would be yet another monumental moment, as she followed her Lord's voice and direction and gave from what was in her house to give.

Later that day, my friend returned to my home yet again, bearing one more gift bag. She had heard God tell her to give this gift to me earlier, but for a brief moment she thought, surely He didn't mean THAT gift? This one had a more significant price tag, back in the day when she came across it in that well-known specialty shop. Back in the day when her own personal life was much more financially sound. A time when entering this type of store would have been easy during any shopping spree. And yet in today's economy, stores like this one bring about a moment of cautioned hesitation, a refusal to go inside where one couldn't afford to even look, let alone buy something. But it was this particular gift He wanted her to give to me. A gift where, once again, she would have no idea the impact it would have.

Inside a drawstringed, laced bag was an incredibly beautiful bracelet made of shells. The kind of shells that resemble mother of pearl. As soon as I saw it, I was reminded of all my many past trips to the beach.

And then I also recalled a familiar creek I came across back in Ohio, at a campground where our church held their first women's overnight silent retreat. An amazing weekend where God spoke ever so deeply and clearly to my heart, as I lay on a large flat rock adjacent to a running creek nearby. Fond memories of both of these places, places where the sound of living, running water always seems to draw me in. Locations where the sight, sound, and smell in the air make me feel so alive! All these memories flooded by while holding this beautiful bracelet, this gift purchased by my friend during better financial times, now making its way from inside her house into my life and my home.

It was then that I knew how I too could bless this dear sister during these hard financial times. I could look inside my own house. I could choose to look for the gifts that would bless her life, speak hope into her world, put a smile on her face, and yes, possibly even bring a few good cleansing tears.

As I looked around, asking God to show me what I could give as a gift to her, He brought my attention to a little picture frame. A frame that held the saying, "God loves you and so do I!" Not much in size, but full of truth. The truth that God loves her! A reminder that because He loves her, He cares about what is going on in her life. Because He loves her, He will watch over her, care for her, nurture her, grow her, be there for her! And as much as He loves her the most, it could still represent a never-ending reminder of my love for her as my friend, my sister, my God-sent angel in this life! A small but constant reminder that I love her, I care for her, and that I too will be here for her! I felt a seal of confirmation as I remembered when I purchased the gift.

It was three years ago, when my husband and I had made the decision to ask our daughter if we could bring our oldest grandchild, Ahlyssa, to live with us. Situations had been overwhelmingly difficult for her, and it had become evident that our intervention and assistance was the right thing to do. So, as we prepared to transition from being just Steve, Jo, and a new puppy named Sasha Bleu, to parents with a seven-year-old under our constant care, I came across this little framed saying as we shopped for bedroom needs.

Ahlyssa needed to know that no matter what was going on in her little world, God loved her and so did I. As I remembered the reason I got the frame, and thought about God's loving nudge to give this as a gift to my friend, I saw God's never-ending and continued circle of love. So this little frame, filled with meaningful, loving memories, would take its turn now in the hands and life of this next child whom God wanted to remind that He loves and cares for!

It was then that Steve came into my office and asked if one of his watercolor giclees would be a gift to consider for her. I had also thought of this same gift. And once again, with God's loving guidance, I said without a doubt or hesitation, "The Guatemala Door" (Steve's watercolor titled "Study in Stucco"). "Hmm," Steve responded, "I don't know if I have any more giclees of that one? But if God told you that one, there must be at least one more," he quickly added with that wonderful grin of his. A few minutes later, Steve came back into my office carrying none other than... you guessed it... the one and only giclee left! Oh, how wonderfully amazing is our loving God!

So, after the wrapping of gifts and signing of cards, I went to deliver our gifts to her, knowing there would be little time before she and her husband would be leaving on their trip toward the west coast for the birth of their first grandchild. Pulling onto her street, I could see her standing outside by the curb, talking on the phone, awaiting my arrival. I quickly grabbed the wrapped gifts from the backseat, and there on the sidewalk she began to open each one of her gifts. The look on her face confirmed to me that I had given exactly what God had wanted my friend to receive.

I began to share with her all that had transpired, and how her chosen gifts to us were so God-inspired, special, and unique. She then shared with me that her mom's favorite gift was also chocolate covered cherries! Her mom had died suddenly years ago, and my mom passed away from a sudden heart attack in 2000. So we quickly, through a mixture of tears and laughter, could see God's connection. And we could envision our moms in heaven, enjoying chocolate covered cherries together as sisters!

The smiles, tear-filled eyes, and loving hugs in that moment said it all. Thankful... we both were.

• Thankful that we both listened and heeded the call of our Father into taking action.
• Thankful that even in these difficult and trying times, when we could have chosen to hide behind closed doors, we chose to step out and into each other's lives.
• Thankful that we did not allow the enemy's whisperings, telling us we didn't have enough to give, to keep us from giving from what we had.
• Thankful that in a time when we could have chosen not to RSVP to the party invitation, we chose instead to go and enjoy good times with good friends.
• Thankful that we choose to take our faith walk as sisters seriously, each making an assertive, conscious decision to continue to meet, to share life, to study His Word, and to fellowship together.

I will forever be indebted and grateful to my dear sweet friend for this lesson learned. A lesson in what true giving of one's self can really mean, whether we find ourselves in times of plenty or in times of need.

And as we move forward into this new year, with this next season of giving once again at our doorsteps, I pray that each of our lives is continually inspired by God's loving question...

"What's inside your house?"

Joanna Mikel writings, January 1, 2009