Bowled Over: My 3-angel Day
Angel #1
The young coed leaps from her car, arms spread wide, calling, “I want this tent!”
News of our Giant Downsizing Giveaway has reached her, secondhand. Now, she caroms amid tables laden with things we’ve used and loved—including Bill’s camera equipment. He has captured decades of travel and family history for us through his lens and unerring eye.
The young woman asks, “You’re really giving all this away?”
I’ll call her The Bright Angel (as in a kind and lovable person). Our first giveaway recipient, she’s unknown to us and becomes increasingly dear as her enthusiasm escalates.
She points to my table of artwork. “You made these? How did you do that? They’re amazing!”
Her delight over more camping gear burgeons into spontaneous twirls of gratitude: “Wow, I really really love this. Thank you!”
Angel #2
Simultaneously, our beloved friend from Seattle unexpectedly drops by. We’ve been on her mind. Knowing nothing about our giveaway, she arrives bearing a gorgeous orchid.
“Beauty that asks nothing of you,” she says.
Angel #3
Our Seattle friend and I sit indoors, catching up with each other.
Reports of The Bright Angel’s armloads of treasures reach me via Kristin, our Giveaway Angel daughter, who welcomes newcomers, draws and mounts signs, re-stages depleted displays, and replenishes goodie trays. She keeps our spirits high.
At one point Kristin relays The Bright Angel’s latest question: Do I maybe have a smallish tray—oh, and a shallow box!—for shaking and storing dice?
I rummage through my studio and produce two small vintage cigar boxes.
When I finally step outside, both boxes are gone along with a lot of other stuff The Bright Angel needed. Her taillights wink as she drives away.
I feel like the good fairy in a story, albeit incognito.
The hours effervesce, with friends hugging us and promising good homes for our treasures. All day, we give away pieces of ourselves.
Near sundown, I unplug the coffee urn, bring the leftover treats indoors.
Dreamer and Kristin replay The Bright Angel’s wide-eyed glee. “It’s really free?”
And I glimpse how the good and beautiful God may sometimes feel, watching we needy mortals bowled over, again and again, newly astonished by unexpected largesse.
When have you been bowled over by one of God’s giveaways?
“Newly astonished” ~ you have entertained angels and delighted our Father’s heart. A good day of the joy that comes with reduction and then filled with yet more of Him. Beautiful ?
Nancy, forgive my belated response. I’ve been traveling. I do relish your view on our giveaway day—that amid the necessary decreasing of possessions God’s sustaining grace was, and still is, expanding within. Thank you, friend.
Oh my, Laurie this story is one for the books, a buried treasure of hope like a pearl hiding in an oyster full of sand. And oh the world is one “sandy” place lately.
What a generous, glorious example of our Father God!
xo
Jody, yes . . . may the grit in our lives produce pearls!
Wow. Your generosity is touching lives.
Sue, how great to hear from you! Generosity keeps me grateful (rather than glum) as we embrace the downsizing challenge. And . . . it’s really fun! 🙂
I remember the glee I felt when you twice (or was it thrice?) anointed me at Bible study. I think you may have even blessed the tip of my nose. Lavish affection and encouragement that filled me to the brim and helped me catch a tiny glimpse of how God must delight in me. May I grow to really own that identity as the beloved and be a witness to others’ preciousness.
Sarah, you delighted me from the first moment I met you, and have ever since. You’re an agent of whimsy as well as compassion and wisdom. What a trifecta! That day you mention was pure pleasure. I second your prayer. And . . . Keep larking!
Oh, I’m so glad your giveaway was graced by the presence of three angels. It seems quite fitting. I’m also glad you were able to take pleasure in the gleeful astonishment of the recipients. We have been bowled over by God’s giveaways a number of times. Just two quick examples out of many: someone gifted my pastor-husband a new car one year; our son received a full scholarship to seminary from another church member. Surely God smiled–maybe even laughed–at their astonishing largesse, inspired by his Spirit!
Wow, Nancy! Amazing, out-of-the-box, unforgettable (and life-changing) largesse! Thanks for sharing!
Laurie! Your free (but generous!) writing is a sight for sore eyes, eyes deprived of all that is good online (and wanting to shun what it not). I’ve been computer-less for three weeks, and a bit overwhelmed knowing that my machine is where my brains are stored. Lost writing. Lost records. Lost emails (maybe not so bad), but lost address book gathered over years and years is. No way to say hello, or apologize for missed responses. But God sent a bright angel our way, a young whiz-bang computer wiz, who restored it all on our new computer. Well, you and I know that the Creator of angels was the one, but still, He uses willing angels. And I’m thinking the real bright angel of this post is none other than its author–*you*–who so generously gives of herself in oh so many ways . . . gives away really gorgeous words by the blogful, not worried that she will run out, gives away beauty by the armload . . . and compassion . . . and grace . . . and imagination . . . and singularity . . . and wisdom. And now you and your Dreamer are bequeathing treasures for the taking, running out, pouring over, just FREE! Wow. That is so gracious of you. And you prove here, by example, that it really *is* more blessed to give than to receive. You will be remembering this wide-eyed wonder blessing every time you remember that young woman and know that she treasures what you do! And how *I* treasure *you*!
xoxo
Lynn
PS I really need to follow your example in many, many ways!
Dear Lynn, what a consuming trial—to lose ALL your records! Your writing. Your contacts info. I’m wincing as I imagine the distress. And I’m grinning and giving thanks for the whiz-bang techie who restored your precious data and safely re-installed it. Whew!
And welcome back online. Your presence and testaments to beauty are sorely needed, my friend.
It’s really free? Sometimes I simply can’t believe that God would give me so much for free. Because it wasn’t free for him. And but that’s exactly what he does. I love this picture.
I hope he being gs more angels to your door. I know he will
So true, Kathleen—a gift costing no less than everything.
I’ll be on the lookout for the next sighting! 🙂
What a wonder-full, uplifting story! I love how you have related it, Laurie. Your “angels” gave back to you and you gave grace and blessing to them too. it definitely does remind us of God’s “unexpected largesse” that He delights to pour so freely upon us. Although the day must have been exhausting, you came away with a lighter load and warmed hearts. Your story shows it really is more blessed to give than to receive. Even if your “Bright Angel”, darling daughter and beloved friend came away replete as well. Much food for thought here as we continue a rather snail’s pace sift and sort ourselves. Thank you! xo
Joy, don’t you love those moments we’re alert to the quiet interchange, often fleeting as breath? I want to catch more of them in the moment.
I do feel lighter, on several levels. And the weather held. Another mercy.
Prayers for your sift-‘n-sort journey as well, dear friend.
❤️
Gotta say, I love that lil red heart. And you!
This is really beautiful, Laurie. I love how you call them “angels” when it would be easier to call you the angel of the story. (I’m sure they think that of you). I love how you rejoice and delight in their ability to receive. Where does the giving and receiving begin and end? We cannot tell in the way you have written this. It is all one big circle of gratitude. Thank-you.
Sarah, I’m so glad the circular comes through —— ongoing interchange with no noticeable seam at onset or completion. Wish I lived aware of this ALL the time! Glimpses sure keep me hoping. Along with insights like yours. Thank you for reading and responding. It sure means a lot. 🙂