My mother didn’t have sterling silverware to use when guests came for a lunch or dinner; but my aunt Mildred made sure that all her nieces had sterling silverware, by giving each of us a spoon or fork or knife for every birthday and Christmas. As a child, I thought it strange, but not unkind, of my Aunt to give me such a gift, but my mother explained over and over that some day we would all appreciate having sterling ware to put on our tables for special occasions. I thought of the silverware as a growing treasure which would one day be kept in a treasure chest. I was sure that somehow I would know when to use it. My sisters and I sometimes talked about when that might be. When each of five nieces graduated from college, Aunt Mildred finished the set of ten place settings plus serving pieces. By that time we each had a chest to hold our treasure.

It didn’t matter to me that sterling silver was no longer fashionable, and that many of my friends felt that I was “showing off” even to own the silver. I didn’t repeat to everyone how I came to own it, but I knew that the person behind the silver, My Aunt Mildred, meant more to me than the silver. She was a school teacher, and sometimes when I saw her, she gave me advice. She was not wealthy, but believed that the gifts she gave her nieces would be a lasting blessing.

Jesus spoke of those who know how to give good gifts to their children. He compared them to his Father God, who gives the Holy Spirit to those who willingly ask for it: If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:12)

It took a long time for me to begin to appreciate the gift; I disliked having to write thank you notes to my aunt. In the same way It’s hard, too, for new Christians to remember to read scripture, and even to pray and to remember to thank our Father for His gifts. As I grew older I began to understand the sacrifice and the trouble Aunt Mildred spent to give such a gift to each of us.

I never asked to know the Holy Spirit until God had already sent Him, just as I never asked Aunt Mildred for silverware. Now every time I read Jesus’ word I know He is speaking to me.

When my daughter was born I chose a silver pattern for her and bought her a spoon.

Love in Him,

Prue