She was a beautiful doll. She had a face of white cloth with black button eyes. A black pencil had made her eyebrows, and her cheeks and her mouth were red with the ink made from pokeberries. Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and raveled, so that it was curly. She had little red flannel stockings and little black cloth gaiters for shoes, and her dress was pretty pink and blue calico. She was so beautiful that Laura could not say a word. She just held her tight and forgot everything else."
~ from Little House in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
There is something so pure about having just one of something. In our culture of "way too much" really appreciating a beautiful gift is not commonplace. Don't you wish you could feel the thrill of receiving a rag doll like Laura felt in the Big Woods book? I do.
One little boy at school told me, "I want four presents and they are not expensive." Another boy asked him to name the four things. They were small things: a used video game, a remote for an old game system, a magazine. I loved him even more when he boldly shared his way of easing the financial burden for his mother.
On my way home from school, I was trying to think of priceless gifts.
~ a listening ear, giving someone/anyone our undivided attention
~ a compliment like, "Your eyes twinkle and it warms my heart."
~ a pop-in visit just to say, "How was your day? What are you thinking about?"
~ a lighted candle at a child's bedside and a four-handed prayer said aloud to a listening Jesus
~ an appearance at a special Christmas play to support a precious little actress who is playing a minor role
~ a piece of paper with a name written on it ten or twenty times followed by all the things that make them lovable
~ a song sung in a wobbly voice
We don't need lots of things. We just need the One.
Please enjoy the "A Childlike Christmas" bloggers. All the links are on the sidebar.
Thank you for coming by to say hello!
I wish you peace.
24 comments:
Yes -- so true! The blessed simplicity of just one special treasure. I just included my Raggedy Anne in a post too. She is a special girl, isn't she?
Blessings,
G
My heart has been so full this week. I am filled with such gratitude for "THE ONE". That knowledge and love for him is the most important thing I have. I am so grateful for this blog hop, so unlike any other, and for the chance to reflect and remember the important things about the holiday. Thank you.
Aww, such sweet stories. I'm afraid I couldn't think of much for my post. Maybe I'll do better next week.
Beautiful words PP. Love you! xx
When I was in Brighton last week I was struck by the massive effort of shops to entice people to part with their money, opulent window displays of things we don't need during this recession, but the shoppers with small children were all at the pier eating chips and enjoying the sea, the shops were fairly empty. It was also where I unexpectedly found a huge church that was closed, but that welcomed me into a small chapel that had everything I needed that day - the One was there in abundance.
what lovely pondery thoughts Pom Pom. Thank you! x0x0x
I had a Mrs. Beasley doll that I adored. I received her for Christmas one year and she was The One thing just for me. My siblings and I shared a sled.
I'm so glad Jesus is The One in my life.
Peace to you, Pom Pom.
Jody
As always thank you for your heart.
You always touch me so deeply. You make me think of things I might not have wanted to share but they are what make me and how I see Christmas.
What a dear little boy. Don't you wish you could go get him everything he asked for?
Thank you you much for reminding us what Christmas is.
Hello! Lovely. Totally the right attitude, unlike me this week! All I want for Christmas is boys at home! After breakfast this morning I followed them upstairs to ensure teeth were being brushed and uniforms donned- and found them snuggled tight back under duvets! And part of me wanted to leave them there!
Dear Pom Pom, I love your blog.
Thank you for the Joy it brings to the many who read it.
I love Christmas but this year the excitement and wonder had disappeared. The past three months have been hard for our family; my younger brother and sister both died and left many loose ends to complete, my steady as a rock husband slid into deep depression, his sister was told she has Grade 3 breast cancer and just recently our beautiful daughter-in-law was diagnosed with MS.
But as I read your blog, Pom Pom, God's warmth and love melted the ice in my heart. It's time to get out the decorations, play the carols, light the candles, cook the honey biscuits and fill our house with love and thanksgiving.
Thank you, Pom Pom for being used by God and for using the gifts of words and your delight in life that God has given you.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas.
from a 'lurker' in Australia.
Thank you for reaching out, Heather. I will hold you and your family in my prayers. Oh, I wish you great joy, great comfort, and reassuring hope.
Thank you for your kind words. I'm humbled and honored that you have found encouragement here at Pom Pom Ponderings. Bless you.
What a perfect gift! I need to buy a doll for a little friend and a Rag Doll is perfect; thanks Pom!
Now to find a Rag Doll...
I think about the Wilders at Christmas time a lot. Peppermint sticks and oranges and soft cookies. They didn't get much, but they so appreciated it!
xofrances
The gift of friendship.
Lovely post! I wish I could print it and put it under my Xmas tree, as I've not started my shopping yet ;-)
xxx
Beautiful post and so true. Thank you for posting this.
A lovely post, thank you. Some things really are worth so much more than money.
I can't put my hand into a Christmas stocking without thinking about Laura and what she found in hers. Thanks for this, Pom Pom.
What a wonderful post! I'm visiting from Kim at Field of Dreams. I like your blog and I have followed you. Please drop by and visit Everyday Ruralty. Don't forget to say hello!
I like your picture of Raggedy Ann. I am such a Raggedy fan that I pick them up any time I see them at thrift shops. My four daughters like them too.
Have a good rest of the week and weekend!
Patrice
www.everyday Ruralty.com
You made me cry today... Your eyes twinkle and it warms my heart. Really!
Blessings, Debbie
hi Pom Pom~!
love your list of priceless gifts.
one of my priceless gifts is feeling loved and content with my family home in the evenings. so warm inside. so cold outside.
:-)
libbyQ
I was so blessed by the little boy in your class. We may not exchange much for gifts this year, but it really doesn't dampen our joy. We just appreciate having each other and we're blessed to have our daughter and her hubby and little girl staying with us. We will enjoy some Christmas movies, hot chocolate and games and be thankful for warmth and a nice little home. Laura Ingalls always opened my eyes to how wonderful the simple things of life are.
Heather, I'll be praying for your family, also. Thanks for being so transparent and sharing with all of us.
Thanks for another warm and encouraging post, Pom Pom! :)
precious..
Have a lovely time gearing up for Christmas, dear one xx
What a wonderful post! Christmas through the eyes of a child is perhaps the best way to view it :o).
Blessings!
Deborah
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