Grandma Grandma’s Gift (08/01/2024)

In 1978, my family moved to Tipton, Iowa. My husband had taken a job with Louis Rich in nearby West Branch. We’d settled on Tipton because it was the county seat which meant it had a little more to offer. It was actually where my husband was born. And his grandmother still lived there. Shortly after our move, the doorbell rang. It was my husband’s grandmother whom our children called Grandma Grandma. She was carrying an odd shaped wrapped package which she presented to me and explained that it was a welcome gift.

The children and I welcomed Grandma Grandma in and offered her a glass of iced tea. We sat together, Grandma Grandma, the children and me. I unwrapped the gift. It was a shiny cookie sheet. I could tell it wasn’t new, however it was spotless and so shiny. Grandma Grandma explained that it was her best cookie sheet that she was sharing with us so we could make cookies in our new home and make memories.

I sat with that cookie sheet on my lap as we talked. I couldn’t believe that she was sharing her best with us. And I couldn’t believe how spotless it was. Grandma Grandma had very little. What she had, she took care to maintain. I promised her that I would treasure it and use it often. She smiled.

I still use that cookie sheet – 46 years later. I took it out this week to use and saw that there were some spots on it. I hadn’t cared for it as I should. I felt bad. I stopped what I was doing and scrubbed. And as I scrubbed, memories of Grandma Grandma flowed. I learned so much from that loving, gentle and humble woman; I especially learned about authenticity.

And as I brought my day to prayerful reflection with the LORD, I could see clearly the lesson contained in Grandma Grandma’s gift all those years ago. The greatest gift we can give to another is authentic love that costs us but that we gladly give with hope. We see that in our Savior’s gift to us from the cross. We see that in the gifts given by the early apostles and Christian communities who were willing to sacrifice for love of Christ and one another.

As we go forth, continuing our journeys of faith, hope and love, let us do so authentically. Let us be loving and humble disciples who authentically offer our best to others, even when it costs us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.