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Advent: A Christmas Gift Without a Price TagKERMAN, CA (December 20, 2006) - Editor's note: In preparation for the Christmas observance, Covenant Communications is sharing devotionals that originally appeared in local Covenant church newsletters or other publications and are being published here by permission. The following comes from Debbie Shelton of Kerman Covenant Church.By Debbie Shelton It was a conversation that took place 14 years ago. I remember being at my grandma’s house and asking the question I had asked all my family members. The conversation began like this: “So, grandma, have you given any thought to what you would like for Christmas?” Her response was different from those of previous years. This year she responded, “I have given it a lot of thought. Can it be anything . . . absolutely anything I want?” I would have given my grandma anything . . . absolutely anything. I totally adored her, so I eagerly responded, “Yes, grandma, ask for anything you want and I will buy it for you.” I waited as a sweet smile came across her face. I watched the twinkle enter her eye and she responded with a simple, yet profound statement. “Debbie, the best gift I could receive from you does not have a price tag. The gift I would like is your time. I just want time with you.” I have to admit this took me back a bit. I really was thinking she was going to say, “I would like a gift certificate, a new watch, or new clothes.” But, she didn’t ask for any of this. She asked for something that I couldn’t go out and buy, and then put a checkmark by her name showing I had completed shopping for her. In reality, she was asking for a sacrifice from me. Not in so many words, but she was saying, “Put the hustle and bustle of your life aside for a little bit and spend some time with me. Allow me to get to know you as you have grown from a child to a young adult. Allow me to share my life with you and vice versa. For just a few hours, let time stand still. Cast your worries and concerns aside and share a few very precious hours with me once a month.” For Christmas 1992, that was the gift I gave her. I would drive two hours from Claremore, Oklahoma, to Southwest City, Missouri, once or twice a month to spend time with my grandma. Most days we would do the same thing. I would meet her at the senior citizen center where she was an active participant. One would think I was some type of celebrity when I walked through the doors. My grandma would be on the lookout for me. Once I arrived, she would very excitedly say, “My granddaughter is here! My Debbie has arrived!” I always told her I didn’t like this because of the hugging and pinching of the cheeks that began. But she didn’t listen to me . . . she would just smile and say, “Debbie, it is good for you!” My gift to her didn’t last as long as I would have liked. But during that time I got to see another side of my grandma. I had always loved and adored her, but now I saw a woman who had struggled in her life, a woman who relied and depended on God with all her soul. She saw the best in me when, at times, I couldn’t see it in myself. I saw a woman who sacrificed her time to spend it with me! She knew exactly what she was asking for from me that year because my grandma knew she was sick and not going to get better. My gift lasted less than two months. My grandma died in February 1993. As I sat at her bedside I said, “But grandma, I’m not done giving you my gift of time. I need more time with you.” She smiled and said, “My dear Debbie, my time with you is not over, but just beginning. When you get to heaven, look me up. You still owe me the gift of 10 more months of your time.” Yes indeed, grandma, I will look you up because I still owe you some time. Editor’s note: To read previously published devotional in this Advent series, please see: • Two Branches That Bore a Tree • God’s Timing Not Like Ours Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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