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April 11, 2003 - "Mike's Knives"
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer." ~Douglas Horton
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SPRING BOUTIQUE! Our Spring Boutique is online with wonderful gifts for Easter and anytime! Our 2TheHeart family members have worked hard to share their talents online, so come and support them at our Boutique! www.2theheart.com/Boutique
ANDTHATSAWRAP! Join 2TheHeart in supporting our brand new site partner! Personalized candy bar, lifesaver wrappers and MORE are a fantastic way to celebrate birthdays, weddings, graduations and promote your business! We at 2TheHeart have our very own candy bar wrapper and it's gorgeous! Designer Anne Goodrich of OhAngel.com is spreading her wings and soaring with this fabulous new business! To learn more, visit www.andthatsawrap.com !
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This will be our last story until April 22, as I am taking next week off to spend Spring Break with my family. Although it may not seem like it at first, this story is a perfect send-off for the Easter holiday (You'll see at the end)! I pray that this Easter is one of peace and gratitude for the Ultimate Gift from our Savior. Blessings to you this Easter. And to our members of the Jewish faith, Happy Passover!
"Mike's Knives"
by Mike Collins
My father and I did not have a close relationship when I was growing up. That doesn't mean that we didn't love one another, because we did. However, we were both so busy with our personal lives that we hardly ever had time for one another - we were both at fault for this; by no means am I blaming my father.
While driving home after visiting my parents a few years ago, my wife and I talked about how my relationship with my father had grown significantly in the past couple of years. During that drive, I also shared the story of the wooden box that Dad had built for my collectable knives. Expressing my feelings of its loss, I mentioned that I would give anything to have it in my possession today.
It was a simple crude container about the size of a shoebox with a lid that closed with two brass hinges - it also had a padlock hinge as well as lock to make sure no one else could get into it. On the very top of the lid my father had painted, "Mike's Knives" in a fancy black font. I gave my wife detailed information of all the secret things I kept in the box, and expressed my remorse for not taking better care of things as a child.
That Christmas we visited my parents to eat, open presents, and of course spend quality time - a precious commodity these days. After the meal, the presents were opened and we all sat on the carpeted floor with wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows torn and strewn throughout the entire living room. Finally, after all were opened, my mother (the official gift-passer-outer) handed me a large green gift bag with fancy paper stuffed in the top in order to conceal its contents. Noticing the look of anticipation on each face, I knew this was no typical gift.
I removed the paper from the top and there sitting in the bottom of the bag was a crude wooden shape - about the size of a shoebox. Even though I did not see the words Mike's Knives, I knew exactly what it was, and could no longer contain my emotions. As I struggled to remove the box from the bag, tears began to well-up in my eyes. Finally getting it out, I noticed it was made of new wood with shiny new brass hinges, and was locked with a small padlock.
My father handed me a key, and after unlocking as well as opening the lid, the words Mike's Knives were revealed from its underside. I was so emotionally overwhelmed, that I finally sat the box down on the floor and embraced my father who was in tears as well. For the longest time neither of us could talk, but we each knew what this meant to the other. I think it was as much a present to him as it was to me. Not to be left out, also in tears, my wife and mother were embracing one another as well. Eventually, we all took turns hugging and thanking one another.
Later that evening my wife explained how she and my mother were talking one day about what to get me for Christmas; recalling the story of the knife box, my wife shared this information with my mother and father, who decided to build the replica. She also explained my father had constructed the box while he was very sick and should not have been doing the things he was doing in order to get it done. It was without a doubt, the very best Christmas present I had ever received.
As I look at my knife box today I'm reminded of the love of a father who would do everything in his power to see the relationship with his son grow and become the best that it could possibly be. I'm reminded of the valuable time that was invested into rebuilding a gift that held such significance to me, and that he cared enough to make it as special for me as possible. Then I'm reminded of my Heavenly Father, who in the same manner cared enough to give me His very best as well. How He, like my earthly father, will do everything in His power to see the relationship with His children grow. And that He cared enough for me, so much so, that He gave His only begotten Son , so I could call him "Father". Matthew 7:11 says, "If ye being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?"
Now that I think about it, although the knife box was a great present, the very best Christmas Gift was given over two thousand years ago, and was not wrapped in colored paper, but swaddling clothes.
Mike Collins copyright 2003
mikecollinsemail@yahoo.com
Mike Collins is a syndicated columnist, broadcaster and author of Christian related material. Mike wrote "Valentine Balloons", found in our archives: www.2theheart.com/archives
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TABLETOP FOUNTAINS! You have to see these gorgeous fountains at Candlemart! With themes of ANGELS (I bought this one!), Christian, Hummingbirds, Flowers, and a BEAUTIFUL Swan, these complete fountains are a fantanstic buy and make a perfect Easter or Mother's Day gift! (Click on "What's New" to see all fountains) http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-55515
PS - Candlemart has lightning-fast shipping!
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The Letter Box:
Hello Meg,
This time your Sharing Garden had my mouth watering. What a pretty story of generosity and love. I have a feeling your dear dad is very proud of you.
When first moving onto our high ranch, I too figured I'd have all the room in the world to plant veggies and flowers. Unfortunately, the deer did too. Kathe Campbell
Dear Mary-Ellen,
My father was an avid gardener and after he passed, I decided to keep up his garden as my way to honor him. Each year I add something new that reminds me of him.... a small statue, a new flower, etc. Your father would love your story and I for one, thank you for writing it.
God bless, Esther Klein
Dear 2theheart,
I am a new member of your list and I absolutely love it! I look forward to 2 the heart each day and miss it on the weekend! Thank you for sharing such beauty and inspiration in a world that needs it. Sincerely, Sadie V., LA
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