Ordinary to extraordinary

Last week, Chris and I met my Nana for dinner. She had a special gift for me- a family tradition.

Our family is full of traditions. Special markings to look forward through as you journey through life. This particular tradition takes place when a girl in our family gets engaged. She is given a thimble- yes, like the one you sew with. Why a thimble? In the 1800's, the end of the thimble would have been cut off and given as the engagement ring. I like this tradition. I knew the thimble was coming, and I was excited about my new rite of passage. (note: I'm sure Chris would have preferred buying me a thimble instead of the gorgeous diamond ring I got. :)

When we arrived at the restaurant to meet Nana, she handed me an ordinary brown box tied with a silver sparkly ribbon. I carefully untied the ribbon, and as I did the glitter from it started to fall off. It was on my pants, on the seat underneath me and on the top of the box. It's kind of like one of those cards you get for your birthday- after you read it, the glitter seems to stay on your hands for days, reminding you of the sentiment. My Nana explained to me that she deemed the ribbon necessary, as the box was just so plain.

I was too excited about the thimble to think anything more about the glittery ribbon or the ordinary brown box, until I later pulled it out of my purse. Sparkles now covered my wallet, driver's license, chap stick (essential), and the few other odds and ends in my purse. (note: at this point, Chris would be happy to tell you there are more than a "few" odds and ends in my purse!)

I looked at the brown box, now looking not-so plain and ordinary; covered with sparkles. The ribbon still adorned it, and it suddenly hit me how similar I am to this simple brown box. Many times, I feel plain- ordinary, as if I'm nothing special. Although I have had a fair amount of life experience and accomplished most of the goals I have set for myself, I still tend to see myself as ordinary. However, as the box did, I have a special gift inside-waiting to be revealed. Something special, something unique.

The Lord is the one who places that gift within us. Even more- He is the sparkly ribbon around us making us beautiful, desirable, extraordinary-and even... contagious. Just as the ribbon adorned the box, He adorns our lives with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He makes us beautiful in His sight when we desire Him. The magnificent symbolism between the glittery ribbon and the Lord, is that He completely covers us. The evidence of the ribbon was all over that box and had even spread to new places- unexpected places. Sparkles covered my hands as I unwrapped the ordinary brown box- now looking extraordinary.

At one point in our lives, each of us feels like the plain, ordinary- no so special brown box. Choose to remember that he has placed the thimble- the special gift inside of you and He covers you in extraordinary beauty. He is the ribbon that adorns our lives.