UNEXPECTED GESTURES

  

Hubby and I recently watched “Fall City,”  a Christmas movie on TV.  In this movie a young man is trying to find his way. After many failures, he returns home for Christmas having nowhere else to go. His life is a mess and in trying to make amends in broken relationships the pastor suggested it may take “unexpected gestures in order to rebuild trust. “ 

I just finished reading the book, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” by Debbie Macomber. The main character, Julia, likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, he rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. She finally decides to “kill him with kindness.”  Over the twelve days of Christmas she shows him unexpected gestures of kindness. 

In Galatians the Bible says, “Let us not grow weary while doing good… (Galatians 6:9)

So now, I’m thinking about unexpected gestures of kindness.  

Recently, I’ve been the recipient of unexpected kindnesses.

• I met a friend for "coffee” (I say that loosely because I don't drink coffee) and she gave me a beautiful red knitted scarf that she had made. Totally unexpected. 
• A text from a “grand” saying, “Grandma, can I stop by for a few minutes?”
• Hubby cleaned out the kitchen pantry for me.
• An unexpected package arrived in the mail from an old friend.   
• I spilled my soda in the garage at my daughter’s house. I hollered for paper towels and my son-in-law came out and cleaned up the mess for me.
• My son forgot keys he needed and called to see if I could give him a ride to pick them up. That resulted in an unexpected, lovely visit with him.  

Now I’m thinking I should make unexpected gestures of kindness more of a habit. This will require thinking, planning and being intentional.  

So….I’m planning to use this Advent season as an opportunity for unexpected gestures.

ON MY WALK TODAY...

ON MY WALK TODAY.............

• I enjoyed sunshine, blue sky and a glorious 55 degrees.

• The bike path was almost completely dry with just a few places where the snow was melting across the path.  My toes are still nice and dry.

• I noticed the Pussy Willows are blooming. Hopefully the leaves will be budding out soon.

• I listened to a  "Jesus is Calling" podcast with Mark Wahlberg, Roma Downey, and Shauna Niequist:   

• Roma Downey says, "It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness."   

• What podcasts have you been listening to lately?

• I didn't see or hear any birds with the exception of one raven in the distance. That was disappointing because I always love to hear the birds singing. 

• I watched one plane descend into the Fairbanks International Airport and one plane take off. They were very noisy.

• I passed quite a few bikers and walkers. The majority were kids walking home from school. They didn't make eye contact with me (and generally don't), but the older walkers were very friendly with a "hello" or a wave.

• I noticed a few clean vehicles on the highway, while the majority of them are still dirty from breakup. Dave just washed our car and we're the ones driving through the deep water puddles very sloooowly. 

• I received a phone call that I had won the lottery.  Click!!!

• I didn't see one mosquito even though they are out and they're BIG! 

• I wish I had carried some cash with me so I could have stopped at Sunrise (coffee hut) for an Italian soda. Next time. 

At the end of my walk it's always good to see home sweet home.  

OLD PIANO BOOKS STILL SPEAK

My parents were married on April 3, 1945 and lived to celebrate 62 years together.  

I have many things around the house that remind me of them, but the most precious & cherished gift I have from them is a set of International Library of Music books. 

• While living in Cleveland, Tennessee my parents bought them for me in 1961 and I have had them now for 61 years. 

• They contain music history, music theory, a wealth of information and music.

• My Dad, in his very beautiful penmanship, wrote my name and date in each book.

• As a very young child, I would pretend to play the piano on the arm of the couch as my Dad played the guitar. I'm forever grateful that they invested in my love of playing the piano with these music books...and many piano lessons.  

• My piano teachers, Mr. Shultz at the Chattanooga Conservatory of Music; and Mrs. Gugler at Lee University used these books for my lessons. I love that their notations are still visible today…..still speaking to me. (I fondly remember my first piano teacher, Mildred Davis, and the John W. Schaum books.)

• When we moved to Alaska my piano had to be left behind, but these music books came with us.   

• Even though I'm very rusty, playing from them still brings me joy.  

• I do not remember how much my parents paid for them, but to me they are priceless. My parent's love continues to speak through them. 

 🎶  WHEN WORDS FAIL MUSIC SPEAKS. 🎶