Adventures Together

 

My husband, Al, caught my attention when he asked where we kept the wrapping paper!

When it comes to gift giving, rather than surprising me, Al prefers my help in picking something out that I would like. His request for wrapping paper was unusual!

Besides, we had already agreed that his Christmas gift for me this year would be a newly remodeled sunroom which was finished before Thanksgiving. The thought ran through my head, that the sunroom was supposed to be my gift. I didn’t say anything though, and told him where he could find some holiday supplies.

The next day, he came back from a shopping spree holding a large pink poinsettia, a Christmas tradition since childhood when he bought them for his mother, and a small box…two surprises!

“Now, hold out your hands and close your eyes,” he said, smiling.

An ornament was inside the box—a replica of a compass, with the words, “On to New Adventures,” inscribed around the metallic case. Tears came to my eyes as I inspected it carefully. Those words were especially meaningful to both of us.

“I didn’t need wrapping paper after all,” he said. Our small tree had been carefully set up and decorated over the prior weekend with the help of our youngest grandson, Elliot. “I wanted something for the tree,” he added.

 When Al saw the compass, he knew it was perfect. In reminiscing over the past adventures in 43 years of marriage, we would always look at each other and say… “We sure have had many wonderful adventures together, haven’t we?”

Sometimes the adventures took the form of escapades in the high country, camping or backpacking. When our experiences weren’t wonderful, like going through surgeries or the pain of losing loved ones, it changed slightly to… “We sure have had many adventures together.”

 As we have aged, our “adventures” have become more oriented around home and daily living, including things like going to the store, and visiting the doctor! When sharing them together, they do seem like adventures!

The compass ornament, intended to be hung on the tree and not for use, has a needle that spins but not in the right direction! It was important to know how to use a real compass especially when adventuring off-trail in wilderness areas. Al always carried one in his pack, even though he seemed to have a good sense of direction. Because I easily got turned around, I learned to stay close behind him!

As followers of Jesus, our lives are full of adventures and surprises! Al and I recently read a daily devotional, “Three Way Vision,” written by a woman whose life had been impacted by a sermon from her pastor. In the sermon, the pastor encouraged the people of his congregation to look in three directions as they continued on their spiritual adventures: look upward, trusting in God for guidance and help; look back, thanking Him for His blessings; and look ahead with hope. *

As Christmas approaches and the story of Jesus’ miraculous birth is told once again, we can gain inspiration from Mary and Joseph, two simple people who were led by God on an amazing adventure through uncharted territory.

When Mary received the news from the angel Gabriel that she was to become the mother of Israel’s promised Messiah, she first looked up! “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1: 38a NIV) From that moment on, her life was changed forever—full of unknowns, surprises, ups and downs, but always walking with faith, gratitude and hope.

            And Joseph? He was steady! Joseph’s eyes were set on God, following His leading at every turn. Joseph showed his faith through his obedience in doing exactly what God commanded him through angelic messengers in three separate dreams.

            May we be inspired to always be steadfast in faith, in gratitude and in hope!

On to new adventures! He is with us!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross…”

Hebrews 12: 1-2a NIV

           *  “Three Way Vision,”by Peg Foltz ( Illinois, USA)  Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide, p. 50