A story…Lavish Generosity

On my way back down the road to the lodge with my arms full of fresh pine branches and scooped up pine cones, I saw a dark green Buick sedan pull out of the caretaker’s driveway. The shiny car was headed down the road toward me. A man was driving. I assumed it was the caretaker. For some reason, I immediately wanted to hide my collection. Should I have gotten permission from someone?

On my way back down the road to the lodge with my arms full of fresh pine branches and scooped up pine cones, I saw a dark green Buick sedan pull out of the caretaker’s driveway. The shiny car was headed down the road toward me. A man was driving. I assumed it was the caretaker. For some reason, I immediately wanted to hide my collection. Should I have gotten permission from someone?

I smiled as his car got closer wanting to be friendly hopefully assuming he would drive on by. It was a silent retreat. Surely he would know I shouldn’t speak. To my dismay, his car stopped. His arm moved toward the buttons for the electric window. First, the back window moved; then, the front one came all the way down.

He looked at me. I smiled sheepishly. I was thinking, if every guest who came here loaded up on pine cones there would be none left. Maybe they should sell them or have a quota. My mind raced with all kinds of ideas.

 “Christmas decorations?”  he asked and paused. The words came quietly out of my mouth, “Is that okay?”

If only I could do justice to his East Texas accent so authentic and winsome. “I’m always amazed at them things that people who come out here get excited about; things we take for granted”, he paused, waited and then slowly grinned. “Of course, take all you want.”

I looked down at the collection in my arms. It really was rather small considering the whole forest! The caretaker’s generosity and kindness touched my tender heart. My eyes welled up with tears. I thanked him. Why did I expect a rebuke like a little girl who had done something wrong and got caught? Is that how I view God?

The caretaker rolled up the car window and continued his drive down the road. I pondered the strength of my emotion at this unexpected encounter. God speaks in so many creative ways His character to reveal. Why am I so hesitant to embrace my Caretaker’s lavish generosity to me His beloved child? Why do I fill my arms with such a few pine cones?

I continued my walk back to the lodge. I could hear his car in the distance. I didn’t tell him about all the sweet gum balls I had collected by the lake.