I love when my family (or church family, friends, or random people on the street!) do things that practically write themselves into a devotional. Such was the case this Christmas. 🙂
Two things you need to know before I start my story: 1) My pastor-brother, Jim, loves Mountain Dew. 2) My son, Kyle, is very creative. Also, he doesn’t mind if his creative ventures take a lot of time to complete. 🙂
Kyle loves coming up with creative Christmas presents. Last year he constructed a Christmas tree out of full Mountain Dew cans and gave it to his Uncle Jim for Christmas. But this year, he outdid himself.
Kyle bought a 24-pack of Mountain Dew and opened the pack. He spent hours googling jokes on the internet, wrote the (rather corny, but funny!) jokes on green sticky notes, and taped them to the side of each can. He then wrapped each can individually and presented them to Jim on Christmas Day.
Here are a few pictures of the action unfolding:
I love the fact that Kyle gave Jim a gift that will keep on going for several days (or weeks, depending on how much Mountain Dew he drinks!) after Christmas, and into the new year.
Every time Jim reaches for a can, he will not only get a sweet treat, but a funny joke, a smile, and a bit of encouragement.
But he will have to open the can, read the note, and drink the sweetness.
My friend, it’s the same way with God’s Word.
We have been given an amazing gift. We hold God’s living, breathing Word of Life in our hands.
Words that have the power to change our lives.
Words that will bring sweetness, encouragement, and strength to our lives.
But those words will do us no good sitting on the shelf. We must read them, meditate on them, take them into our hearts, and savor their sweetness.
God’s Word is the gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving.
But you have to open it up.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” {Joshua 1:8}
Wonderful story, Kimberly. It’s amazing how just the little things can mean so much as you described your brother’s Christmas present(s) from your son. Just as you talked about the Bible. We truly are so blessed to have it but we must first open it and take it in even if it’s only little bites at a time. Those bites will nourish us and cause us to grow. As we grow, our appetites will then be able to allow bigger bites to spiritually digest as we learn about and crave more and more of Who Jesus truly is and how much He means to us. This is a great devotion. I love it when you share your boys. You have a very special bond which God has allowed you to share with one another and that bond has been built upon Jesus. Thank you for sharing this. Since your brother is also your pastor, maybe the next time the offering plates are passed, someone just might drop a few cans of Mountain Dew in them! 😉
Lol! What a great idea! 🙂 People at church do often give him Mountain Dew, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone put it in the offering plate! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It’s amazing how God can teach us spiritual lessons from everyday happenings when we keep our eyes open!