Last Friday I attended a Christmas party. Like many holiday parties, it had a gift exchange. In this case, the girls brought and received a girl’s gift; and likewise, the guys traded among their own gender group. I did not take a gift to the party because I did not want to take one home.
Since my arrival back in the States, I have been sorting through my stuff, “recycling” or giving it away in a vicious going-to-Brazil-once-and-for-all cleaning spree. I figured nothing I could receive would be worth its weight (literally) to haul back down to Fortaleza with me in my suitcase. In spite of my forethought, however, I still ended up opening a gift – two, actually.
I had gone to the party with my parents, but because they had to leave just before the gift exchange to attend another party (such popular parents I have), I was left as the family representative to open both Mom and Dad’s gifts. Since I was helping with the exchange, I received some of the last presents to be handed out. I emphasize this because, contrary to “gift rigging” that has occurred during other years, this was sheer chance – or rather, sheer sovereignty of a God who, I am certain, has a great sense of humor.
This is what I unwrapped:
As for the questions (“Are you obsessive-compulsive?”), Mom does not carry bleach in her purse, but she has a lot of other interesting things in there. My dad does not mow the neighbor’s lawn, but he does snow-blow the neighbor’s driveway. My credit cards are not alphabetized, but they are organized in a specific way.
What am I saying? Everything in my life is organized in a specific way. At FA, my students used to intentionally rearrange objects just to see if I would notice. One time, a student came up behind me and covered my eyes, then asked me to name the books I kept on the side of my desk, so I did…in order, of course.
Actually, I was surprised that this doll wasn’t called the ”Lundberg Action Figure ,” but that’s probably because we get the family name from my father. Dad obsessive? Maybe, like when it comes to trout fishing, deer hunting, golf, etc.; but obsessive-compulsive? Um, no. Just stop by the house sometime, and I show you his workshop – well, that or the ice cream bowl sitting by his easy chair.
Incidentally, this was the second time I was proved wrong. I went gift-less and with the same attitude to an earlier party where I was “force-fed” a gift, and it was perfect: a bath set with Sweet Pea scent (one of the two that I use…). I know God’s not obsessive compulsive (thank goodness or we sinful humans would have been destroyed long ago), but isn’t it amazing the care God gives to the little “insignificant” details of our lives.
And just so you know, I am working on my compulsive behavior. The Holy Spirit has convicted me on more occasions than I can remember (must be that selective memory) about my need to just let go…yeah, I see you all smirking out there…that business of recognizing and remembering that my godliness is solely the result of God’s grace in my life; of focusing on my behavior and responses and leaving the Holy Spirit to fulfill His role in the lives of others; and of so many more areas. *sigh* Good thing sanctification is a process, ‘cuz this is going to take a while…
The good news is God mercies are new every morning; indeed, great is His faithfulness (Lamentations. 3:23).
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image
from one degree of glory to another.
For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
