December 26,1997
Dear Br. and Sr. Humble:
It was a pleasure to see both of you the other day. I always enjoy conversing with friends for once I meet a person, unless they are terribly obnoxious, their portraits are lovingly hung in my gallery of remembrance. (Incidently, even if they are obnoxious, I never forget then but I hand their portraits elsewhere.)
We appreciated the gift of food you brought for Sevilla and myself,
it even tasted good. (Please, this is a complement, not an insult.)
But more then this, we were pleased with the thoughtfulness behind
the gesture, it had much of Christ in it.
More then the gift, it is often the thought and person behind
the gift that is welcomed. At Christmas time, billions of dollars
are expended on material possessions causing much grumbling that
we didn’t get the toy we desired, or the size was wrong,
or the color doesn’t complement my complexion, or I already
have one of those, or why did you give me that! How much better
to give of ourselves. While I enjoyed the mashed potatoes and
peas, I enjoyed more the five minutes of conversation with both
of you, your joy and laughter, your smiles, and pleasant looks.
It may have meant little to you, but to Sevilla and me, it meant
a lot.
The personal touch in giving always enhances the value of the
gift itself for it conveys caring and love far more then a pair
of socks sent through the mail or even wrapped in bright ribbon
and paper and laid under the tree on Christman eve.
Yet, to give of ourselves is so difficult. Why! It is because
we place a high premium upon our time, energies, or resources.
After all, I am very important and if I spend that few minutes
talking with you, sharing myself, I might suffer some slight inconvenience
or loss.
It took thought and time (and gas for the car) to bring those
dinner plates to us, time and thought better spent on self, some
might complain. But what is more rewarding then to brighten the
life of another rather then to spend it selfishly hoarding our
selves in our dark, little houses, doing dark, little things to
pleasure ourselves.
Praise the Lord, He does not think as we think. For the scriptures
say, “my ways are not your ways, nor are my thoughts your
thoughts.” Praise the Lord, they aren’t. What a pity
if God were like us and what a joy that He isn’t.
One of the marks of a dedicated Christian is their willingness
to use their time, talents, and resources to brighten the lives
of others without thought of recompense. The Holy Spirit implants
the thought, we respond with the gift, and God receives the glory.
As the world grows darker and darker through a misapprehension
of the character of Christ and as Satan’s character is reproduced
in the lives of those who reject their Lord, those who stand for
Christ will shine as stars in the night sky, letting their light
shine that others may see it and glorify God.
May the Lord richly bless you for your generosity with a deeper
knowledge of His unselfish love. May each of you more and more
perfectly reflect His character as day and night pass into the
eternal record books. He loves you with a tender regard far beyond
our comprehension, His mercies are abundant and fresh every morning.
His hand is never shortened to save, even if He does allow the
piece of firewood to fall on your foot, He has preserved your
life through countless attempts of the evil one to destroy it.
May the Lord be praised.
May you both long enjoy the smile of the Lord. Your brother in
Christ
Allen Benson