My Best Christmas Gift - A Simple Christmas Story
I got a small package in the mail today...a flat 8.5 x 11 envelope actually. I was surprised to see the return address was from PA and was that of a former pastor from years ago. When I opened it up, it took my breath away for a moment.
There was a note explaining that this poem and 5.00 bill that I had given as an offering in 1983 was being returned to me to pass down as part of my inheritance to our daughter.
The pastor stated that she could not bring herself to actually use it and wanted to return it to me with the same joy it was received many years ago.
Although I meant what I said when I gave it as an offering from my heart, I must say that her thoughtfulness and the receipt of it brought me to tears. To hold something in my hands that Mom had handled so many years ago was special and I felt it had an extra
connection to Heaven and back.
Here's the poem if you want to read it.
Mom’s Gift to Me
I have here in my pocket
A crumpled $5.00 bill.
Now, that may not seem exciting-
But perhaps my story will.
My Mom went on to Glory,
Her lord she went to see,
And among her earthly possession,
She left this bill to me.
Now there was no big estate to settle.
Her children numbered three
And in her hand written will,
Her money went to me.
Her wallet was in her purse
Filled with pictures to the brim,
Kids, husband and grandkids,
Oh, she was so proud of them!
Mom always said
That she was rich
In ways that counted most.
She taught us kids about
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
She always seemed to be there
Whenever we had a need.
She taught us as little kids
How to pray and intercede.
She said she didn’t really care
If we were president or not
Just as long as we were our best
At whatever job we got.
She didn’t have much money
She had no wealth of fame
But she taught us the Power
Of using Jesus’s Name!
She had no position
Of rank or authority
She was under no feeling
Of superiority.
She wasn’t a college graduate-
She was educated in a country school
Where daily they read God’s Word
And recited the Golden Rule.
So I kept this bill
To remind me
Just how much she cared
But the thing I remembered most today
Was how she always shared.
This bill was all she left me
In cash that could be spent
It isn’t even pretty
It’s all crumpled up and bent.
I need this bill no longer
For I realized that it’s true
That she left me something more important
My love, Dear Lord, for You!
This last thing
That I’ve held out
I give to you, now, Lord
Without one doubt.
For Mom is in Heaven
Right there with you
And I think her money
Should be there too.
So Pastor, enclosed please find
One five-dollar bill
Use it to do
The Father’s will.
Oh, Father, I wish
That Mom could see-
I would like to think
She would be proud
…………..of me…
Thena Smith’
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