GOD'S IN THE DETAILS

Look at the little intricacies that go into the creation of a spider web. But the spider is small and though she sees each silky thread that she lays, it is not until she is finished that she can step back and see the entire picture. We are similar to that spider and often we forget how each small string of thread that we spin (our actions) is the leading (voice) of God, because he can see the finished product. I was reminded just last night of how God takes care of us and guides our every step.

As early as October, I ordered my dad a Celtic Women's DVD because I didn't want to forget to buy it for him. In November I watched an episode of the 700 Club that interviewed a man who wrote a book about a Christian retreat that he opened in nowhere town Alaska. It was awesome and I immediately went online to Barnes and Noble and bought it. From that point on, it was a little thing here and a small item there. All that reminded me of my dad. A personalized Scrabble dictionary so he'll have a shot at beating me....the student has surpassed the master. Smile. A beautiful Bible with a Celtic cross on it that we had engraved with his name. A mug with an apple on it, his nickname for me. We bought him a lot more than we usually do. Normally we buy him one big thing and a couple small. It actually took a while for him to open everything and later he told us he was touched by our generosity.

Last night Danny and I were discussing the day and realized that my dad had done all the shopping for us this year. In all of Barbara's craziness, she didn't buy anything for anyone, including my dad. It was so funny though because I kept commenting to Danny over the past few weeks that we had gotten so much stuff for my dad! Last night, we understood why. He deserved a beautiful Christmas because he is the most generous person we know. He gives so selflessly to others all the time and this past year has been an especially trying year for our family. He really needed the Christmas spirit to come through for him. God knew this and obviously had a plan. I'm glad he knows all the things we don't and guides us in placing each piece of thread until we have finished the masterpiece.

God's in the details.