Friends and Their Gifts are Gifts from God

God often sends friends bearing gifts to help us along our journey. I would like to share a few examples of how friends and their gifts of a sand dollar, a teapot, a journal, an angel statue, and a story and rabbit figurine have helped me.

The Sand Dollar

One of my Church friends and I went to the beach. As we sat down, I shared with her why I felt so insecure. She shared with me that God created the person I am, just as I am to be. Afterwards, as we walked more, she found a Sand Dollar and gave it to me.  Actually, I never knew the story about the Sand Dollar until I researched on the internet. Then I also saw a religious item about Sand Dollars that our parish gift shop sells.  The Sand Dollar story teaches about Easter and Christmas.  God was born and died. However, He was reborn again to give people the opportunity to be renewed or be reborn.  This is important to me, because I realized that God created me to be the person who I am, for a special reason. Since I had been going through mental and physical challenges from work, relationships, and being comfortable in my own skin, I realized that I could start over again.  There will always be down days, and that doesn't mean that if I don't Thank God every morning, it will not be a bad day. However, it is a test for me to TRUST and BELIEVE in Him, because He will be showing me the path and that He has plans for me.

As For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord - Joshua 24:15

The Teapot

On August 20, a cute little tea pot was given to me as a gift from a friend at my Church. The past three months, I had become sad, depressed and I had worried all my life. The previous day,  I had emailed my friend and told her that I couldn't live anymore; I felt I was a burden to my family and friends, and I wanted to give up, because I felt there was no hope for me, and always felt bad things happen to me, whether in a job or relationship. These thoughts made me become more selfish and self-centered on the needs that I wanted, instead of what God had planned. It was not about me taking control of what I feel is right.  While we talked over the phone, she shared that she talked with a Sister years ago and the Sister told her, “Someone will need your help”.  My friend said she was sent as my angel from God to help me get through this trial, or little blip, that I have been going through.  I was crying and felt helpless, because I have a hard time letting people in to help me. I always believed that I could do things on my own, and not rely on others. This attitude became a bad habit or expression of PRIDE in me.  When my friend and I met for lunch on that day, she held my hands and prayed to God that this would be the day that I would be moving forward and not backward.  This was a test for me, and every time I look at the tea pot, I tell myself that I can move forward, regardless of what challenges I will face each day. I love this cute little tea pot that looks like it belongs in a Dr Seuss book.

For God so Loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believeth in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life.-John 3:16

The Journal

After my birthday luncheon with my church friends, my parents and my sister encouraged me to open my gift.  When I did, I saw a book. However, it wasn’t a book, but a journal with the verse from John 3:16 on front, and I thought it was very cool.  I remember my parents asking me to write down thoughts about my day.  So on that day, I wrote down these 10 things that I am Grateful for…

1. I’m grateful to be alive and well.
2. I’m grateful today is my birthday.
3. I’m grateful to spend time with my parents, sister, and friends on this special day.
4. I’m grateful for the gifts that I have received.
5. I’m grateful for having a fun and blessed time.
6. I’m grateful for having a good heart.
7. I’m grateful for being beautiful.
8. I’m grateful for another year.
9. I’m grateful for the blessings in my life.
10. I’m grateful for being a good person.

When I saw my friend the following day to drop off a thank you note, I asked where she got that journal and she told me at Ross.  I was surprised as my impression was that she bought the journal at a religious store.  She was telling me that she did not know what to get for me as a gift, and when I saw this journal, she knew it was perfect for me.  This was another reminder for me and suggestion for you.  I used to do journal writing, and the thoughts in my mind were terrible thoughts and feelings, until another friend suggested that I write 10 things "I am Grateful For" each day. Right away, I said, "no way" as I couldn’t think of the positive things, only negative things.  Then, I started following her suggestion, and now my writings and feelings have been more positive, healthy, and fruitful.  This verse from John 3:16 is special to me because it strengthens my belief in God, and that He will be with me forever in Everlasting Life.

The Precious Moments Angel Statue

I had never been to a women’s retreat until I attended one in October 2011.  The last time I went on any retreat was when I was in the process of going through my Confirmation. That time was a good experience as the focus was on God and Me.  On the October retreat, I stayed from Thursday evening till Sunday afternoon.  When the retreat was over, one of the ladies gave a gift to me. When I opened it, it brought a smile to my face as the Precious Moment Angel statue, with inscription "Your friendship brings light to my life" almost reminded me of me. 

My thoughts on how I want to bring the light to friendship are that as a child of God, I want to bring goodness to people, and share the Word about God, whether is it with a family member, friends, or a stranger. I have learned that I can’t always be everyone’s friend, but I can be a person who can lend a hand – by volunteering at a food bank, or shelter, or even at my parish or other religious events, to bring people and the community together. 

The lady who gave me this gift told me that I bought light into her life.  She was a close friend to my family and I would see her at Church.  She was always smiling, saying hello or how are you doing today; we would always give her a hug.  She was a friend who had a strong spiritual faith that expressed how the light connects us to God. This special lady passed away Christmas in 2011, and each time I look at this angel, I always feel my friend is watching over me. She is reminding me – "You’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel."

The Story Barrington Bunny (click to link to story on You Tube)

This story of Barrington Bunny ties in again to the Women’s Retreat I attended in October 2011, and one of the ladies at the retreat shared this story by Martin Bell.  While she was telling the story, I started to cry, because this bunny did not know anyone in the beginning and was alone, and did not have a family, until he met different animals along the way.  This story taught me to keep moving forward and trusting in God, because of the gifts that He has given, and that I can share my gifts with others. 

On the last day of the retreat the lady who shared the story, handed me something wrapped in tissue paper.  When I opened the gift, it was a white porcelain rabbit.  It’s interesting because, I did not know how did she knew that I collected rabbits.  This gift always reminds me of the gifts that God has given me to share with others.  Even though, I may not believe or understand why, I tell myself the gifts I have will benefit other people to whom I may lend a hand.  God gave everyone gifts to share with others and that is what it makes life interesting.

What I have learned about myself as a Catholic through renewing and learning about my faith every day is that something new always comes.  It’s been interesting that lately as I’ve been volunteering my time at my parish, this has brought to me such a sense of being blessed every day and thanking God for each precious moment.

I have displayed these four gifts in my room as a reminder of lessons they have taught to me: to be patient; to have the courage and strength; to share with others about my faith; and to always pray no matter what the situation, and to always pray for people, including the neighbors; and to have a good heart and to recognize and be grateful for all the blessings of in my life.