"A Long Distance"

My Grandma Camp

 

 

An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. “The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for each other,” she said. When Christmas day came, the boy brought to the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. “Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?” the teacher asked as she gently fingered the gift.  The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found. When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was left speechless.  “Why…why, it’s gorgeous…wonderful, but you shouldn’t have gone all that way to get a gift for me.”

His eyes brightening, the boy answered, “Long walk part of gift.”

I read this sweet little story in a devotion from "Girlfriends in God" today and had to share it. 

 

 

In the devotion, a question was asked, "Have you ever received a gift that was a sacrifice for the giver? My mind went to my Grandma, who made very little money but managed to give everyone in her family a gift for Christmas. She spent hours making things for gifts or would take from her meager earnings to buy a pair of socks, gloves or a pretty scarf. Each gift was wrapped in love and, as in the story above, the "Long walk was part of the gift"!

And then of course, when we think of coming a long distance we must always think of the Christ child who left heaven to be the gift of salvation. Like any gift, it is free, but this gift came with great sacrifice.   His death on the cross!

He stands today with outstretched arms, bidding all who will, to take His gift! His eyes brightening, He says "Long walk part of gift"!

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