(I pray God shows all of us the effect we have on people.)

I have always, always loved Thanksgiving; even as a child, even as a young teenager growing up without being taught the ways of the Lord I cherished the day. On one particular Thanksgiving many years ago, my parents, brothers and I were going to my Uncle Roger’s and Aunt Sharon’s house to celebrate the day together.

I will never forget (it has been many years ago, about fifty-two) pulling up into their driveway on a very cold and beautiful snowy Thanksgiving Day! I was so excited to celebrate it, at least in my youth, I thought I was celebrating it. I paid no attention to God, even though He is truly the center of any Thanksgiving Day and thanksgiving period…

This story is of Maria. There is much beauty and truth found in our relationship. As I remember Maria, I’m thinking that she was probably about eight years old at the time. I was probably twelve or thirteen and in Maria eyes, I have no doubt, I was much more grown up than she…

My Aunt Sharon used to have foster children; so when we went to visit her we would see new girls and boys. At the end of this period in her life, she and my Uncle Roger ended up adopting a son, John. They already had a daughter, Bonnie, and after John entered their family, a few years later they had another daughter on their own, Sheryl. I vaguely remember a couple of girls my Aunt Sharon cared for. I know at one point she had two sisters, close in age. I really don’t remember very many of the kids.

BUT I DO REMEMBER MARIA…

I had met her previously. I can’t remember now, but I think I only got to see her about three times. I knew she would be there on this particular Thanksgiving…  The Minnesota weather made it much more fun for me; and as it was snowing this cold beautiful day, I was filled with happy expectations of a wonderful time! As we pulled up to the house, there was Maria standing, holding open the door and totally excited! She was waiting for us, jumping up and down in excitement. She was a beautiful and precious sight!

Why?

Well, first of all, she was very cute.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  all children are cute and precious (that is precisely why I daily post SOB!)

 

And Maria was very bubbly. She had dark black, beautiful hair. Her face was light and she has those kinds of freckles that are big and remind me of the moon. I don’t remember what colour her eyes are… As I think of Maria over the years here and there, I remember how cute she was and seemed really happy. I miss her. I miss her to this day.

And as I think more deeply these days, I think about the fact that she needed a foster home. So obviously she had some serious challenges in her very early and innocent life. I pray for her. I never kept in contact; I wish I had…

Selah.

But I also had a difficult childhood. Remember if you will, God asked me if I had one word to say about it, I chose the world horrible.

Maria liked me.

MY POINT OF THIS STORY is: I didn’t realize at the time how much she liked me! God has brought her to my mind and explained these things to me. It was me Maria was jumping up and down for and smiling to see. It was me who she was excited to see and spend time with. And I did spend time with her…

But now I feel I should have done more, and I feel bad about this. Live and (you should) learn. I realize now that I didn’t feel worthy to be admired, a role model. My two front teeth were crooked; I didn’t feel pretty. I was. I didn’t feel special. I was. I didn’t think others would find me interesting. I was. Everyone is! Everyone is worthy of love, respect and interest.

NOTE: for sinners, there is hope that they can be valuable in more ways than they are now. God still loves them and does not want them to forsake Him!

God had instilled in me many beautiful truths. I didn’t look down on anyone because of their age, their skin colour (Maria might have been Hispanic, I don’t know. I’m White.) I have a strong belief that no one taught me (but unknowingly to me: God did) that Black and White people could get married. My mom would have had a fit if I had told her that! I have always had also a wonderful respect for the mentally handicapped, always. God programmed me that way:

 

Romans 2:12-15
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.  For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

 

I know that now. I am not bragging on myself… Every beautiful value I possess and all things have I done which pleases God before I was His child, I give Him the glory and the profound thanks! He has done great things through me!

It’s been over fifty long years since I’ve seen Maria…

I am very glad that I was kind to her, and respectful. But, I couldn’t give her what I didn’t have… I didn’t appreciate my influence on her. I didn’t know I was admired by her and it would have shocked me back then! Now I know. I didn’t know my value to Maria because I didn’t listen to God…

Today if I were in that same time, but knowing my value and hers more than I did I would have talked to her about her problems. I would have told her what I thought about her. I miss her. And I honestly didn’t see Maria that much at all: those foster kids come and go. I would have shared my heart with her and encouraged her…

I would have told her how precious and beautiful she is!

Selah.

So today because I have no physical contact with Maria, I honor her memory in the visits I had with her. I love her and I did love her then, as much as I could have in my own spiritually poor state. Most importantly, I pray for her, never forget her and hope she’s remembering me… Like my Father in Heaven, I want Maria to know her beauty. I want her to know her value.

Most of all, I want Maria to be my sister and live with me in the Kingdom!

Selah.

Then, we’ll both know we remember each other and have always loved each other!

 

 

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY

 

Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

 

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

 

1 Peter 4:8-9
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.