A good friend of mine has just returned from a time in Africa where she worked at an orphanage. We had a wonderful evening together and I soaked up her stories and experiences there. Most interestingly to me was that the deeper stories of the personal growth in each of our lives has been very similar even though our journeys have been in very different places doing very different things. During our meal together, my friend allowed me to chose a gift. She had a two beautifully carved sets of salad servers. One for me and one for her. She wanted me to chose. It was not an easy choice as they are both beautiful in very different ways. I chose a beautifully carved light wooden set with giraffe heads carved in the handles. They are proportioned so that they have a large flat spoon surface and relatively shorter handles. I love the feel and the proportions. I can feel the shallow grooves where they have been carved and smoothed. The narrow ridges from the carving tool are still present and only add to their beauty. This gift brings Africa and deep beauty and joy into my life.
I long to be a server in this life journey. Sometimes I look at the different servers around me and wonder at my own shape and size. The generous gift of these salad servers is a reminder to me that we are all different, yet useful and beautiful in our own ways. Sometimes we may feel that our contribution is more like from a teaspoon than a salad server, but each are important in their own way. I cherish the simplicity and form of my particular salad servers, so carefully and thoughtfully carved and shared. May we all grow in valuing and cherishing the shape and form of our own lives, so generously created and given by God. May we be used to serve out much kind goodness and loving delight to those around us.
No comments:
Post a Comment