- Jun 27, 2003
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The Twelfth Day
Monica tossed and turned. It was that way every year. Monica had trouble sleeping on the night before the twelfth day. She looked over at Brad, who was sleeping like a baby just like he always had been able to do.
Monica turned and looked at the clock. It read 2:37.
Is that all? Monica thought. It should be later than that.
Monica tried to get to sleep, but to no avail. Her mind raced as she wondered what was in store for her the next day.
Ever since she and Brad had gotten serious, he used his love for Monica and his love for Christmas and giving to institute the Brad Conwell Twelve Days Of Christmas Giving. There were no Scrooges in his family. It was a good thing Brad could afford to spoil
Monica, and now that they were married, spoil her he did.
Brad always started small. Well, small as far as Brad was concerned. Brad always gave Monica something inexpensive for the house on the first day, and the last day was always something unpredictable, but wonderful.
Wonder what it could be this year? Monica thought, knowing sleep would be out of the question again this year.
Lets see, last year he gave me two tickets for a three week trip on that Mississippi steamboat. All the way down the Mississippi to Nawlins, as the natives said. It was a good thing we didnt use it until May, Monica thought.
And the year before that he gave me that diamond necklace that was big enough to choke a horse.
Now, lets see. What was the year before that? Oh, yeah. How could I forget? All of my friends were envious when they found out we were going to stay in a German castle.
Speaking of friends, boy was I surprised by the gift the year before that. How did Brad ever find Betsy, my best friend growing up? I had completely lost touch with her, but thanks to Ol Giftgiver there, we were able to get reacquainted on our own shopping spree to New York City.
Monicas mind raced more quickly than the clock, but eventually the numbers on the clock reached 6:00, and the alarm began to sound.
Time to get up, Brad! Come on, Brad! Rise and shine!
Just give me another couple of hours sleep, Brad replied, wanting to have fun at his wifes expense. Brad never woke up tired, a trait his wife wished she had.
Oh, no you dont! Wheres my present? Monica asked.
Present? Oh, yeah. Dont you remember? I gave it to you yesterday.
That was present number eleven and you know it.
Eleven? Are you sure? Brad returned.
Yes, and you know it, too! Now wheres my present?
Oh, now I remember. I decided that due to the financial crisis I would only give you eleven presents this year. Youd better watch yourself. I may cut back to ten next year.
And I may hide your golf clubs this spring. Now, where is it?
Okay, lets get dressed and go downstairs.
And why do we have to get dressed, Brad? Is it in the driveway this time?
Thats for me to know and you to find out. Now if you want your last present, you need to play by my rules.
Okay, youve got the upper hand. Now out of bed and get dressed.
Monica dressed quickly and waited for Brad who seemed to be prolonging her agony.
Hurry up, slow poke.
Okay, lets go. Im ready, Brad said. Now, down to the living room.
Monica raced down the stairs and turned to face her husband who seemed to be taking his one step at a time a little slower than normal.
Is this it? Monica asked, as she spotted a white box with red ribbon.
Yes, but sit down first, and you have to sit on the sofa.
It matters where I sit? Monica asked.
It sure does, so take a seat little lady.
Aye, aye, sir, Monica said as she saluted her husband.
Possessing no lady-like skills at that moment, Monica tore through the paper, ripped open the box, and looked at what looked like a photograph album.
Puzzled, she took it out of the box and opened it to the first page, surprised that she found nothing. Knowing her husbands clever nature she turned to the next page, and then the next, but still finding nothing other than sheets where she could display photographs.
Okay, Smarty pants. Wheres the rest of it? Monica asked.
If I were you Id keep turning, Brad replied, causing Monica to turn another page, and then another.
Near the back Monica finally found a brochure advertising a cabin in the mountains.
When are we going? Monica asked. And how long will we be gone?
You will be gone for two weeks. I will not be going at all, Brad replied.
Monica had lived with Brad long enough to know the next page might produce another clue, but she was not prepared for what she would find.
Where did you get this, Brad? This is a picture of my sister Melanie whom I havent seen since we left the orphanage. Who is this woman with her? Oh my gosh....Oh my gosh... Its... Its....
Its me, whispered a voice behind her. Monica wheeled around and began to weep un-controllably as her sister rushed around the sofa to embrace her.
+++++++
The woman in this story went from where she had very little (an orphanage) to where she had anything she wanted (because of a rich husband). Are you at a point in your life where you have much more than you had at one time? If so, are you careful not to worship what you have and remember to continue to worship God instead?
The womans husband presented her with all types of gifts. Some were expensive, like a diamond necklace and a vacation in a German castle, while others were more personal, like being reunited with her best friend and her sister whom she had not seen in a long time. If you had your choice of any of the womans presents, which one would you choose? Which means more to you, tangible items or relationships? The older we get, the more likely we are to realize how much our loved ones mean to us. Which would you rather do? Spend a week with those you love or spend a week in a German castle? If you answered honestly, your answer was spend a week with those you love in a German castle. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the finer things in life. After all, God made all good things. What is important, however, is remembering to always put Him first before any tangible item or any other relationship. How are you doing at putting God first?
Take a minute and reflect on what things are really important to you. If you could have anything you asked for, what would you choose? If you were honest, you may have realized that you already have much of what makes you happy. Would you trade most of that you have for something else, or would you rather keep what you have? If God has already blessed you with a wonderful family, good friends, a home, and enough food to eat, have you remembered to thank Him each day for what He has given you?
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
moviesteve@rocketmail.com
Submitted by Richard
Monica tossed and turned. It was that way every year. Monica had trouble sleeping on the night before the twelfth day. She looked over at Brad, who was sleeping like a baby just like he always had been able to do.
Monica turned and looked at the clock. It read 2:37.
Is that all? Monica thought. It should be later than that.
Monica tried to get to sleep, but to no avail. Her mind raced as she wondered what was in store for her the next day.
Ever since she and Brad had gotten serious, he used his love for Monica and his love for Christmas and giving to institute the Brad Conwell Twelve Days Of Christmas Giving. There were no Scrooges in his family. It was a good thing Brad could afford to spoil
Monica, and now that they were married, spoil her he did.
Brad always started small. Well, small as far as Brad was concerned. Brad always gave Monica something inexpensive for the house on the first day, and the last day was always something unpredictable, but wonderful.
Wonder what it could be this year? Monica thought, knowing sleep would be out of the question again this year.
Lets see, last year he gave me two tickets for a three week trip on that Mississippi steamboat. All the way down the Mississippi to Nawlins, as the natives said. It was a good thing we didnt use it until May, Monica thought.
And the year before that he gave me that diamond necklace that was big enough to choke a horse.
Now, lets see. What was the year before that? Oh, yeah. How could I forget? All of my friends were envious when they found out we were going to stay in a German castle.
Speaking of friends, boy was I surprised by the gift the year before that. How did Brad ever find Betsy, my best friend growing up? I had completely lost touch with her, but thanks to Ol Giftgiver there, we were able to get reacquainted on our own shopping spree to New York City.
Monicas mind raced more quickly than the clock, but eventually the numbers on the clock reached 6:00, and the alarm began to sound.
Time to get up, Brad! Come on, Brad! Rise and shine!
Just give me another couple of hours sleep, Brad replied, wanting to have fun at his wifes expense. Brad never woke up tired, a trait his wife wished she had.
Oh, no you dont! Wheres my present? Monica asked.
Present? Oh, yeah. Dont you remember? I gave it to you yesterday.
That was present number eleven and you know it.
Eleven? Are you sure? Brad returned.
Yes, and you know it, too! Now wheres my present?
Oh, now I remember. I decided that due to the financial crisis I would only give you eleven presents this year. Youd better watch yourself. I may cut back to ten next year.
And I may hide your golf clubs this spring. Now, where is it?
Okay, lets get dressed and go downstairs.
And why do we have to get dressed, Brad? Is it in the driveway this time?
Thats for me to know and you to find out. Now if you want your last present, you need to play by my rules.
Okay, youve got the upper hand. Now out of bed and get dressed.
Monica dressed quickly and waited for Brad who seemed to be prolonging her agony.
Hurry up, slow poke.
Okay, lets go. Im ready, Brad said. Now, down to the living room.
Monica raced down the stairs and turned to face her husband who seemed to be taking his one step at a time a little slower than normal.
Is this it? Monica asked, as she spotted a white box with red ribbon.
Yes, but sit down first, and you have to sit on the sofa.
It matters where I sit? Monica asked.
It sure does, so take a seat little lady.
Aye, aye, sir, Monica said as she saluted her husband.
Possessing no lady-like skills at that moment, Monica tore through the paper, ripped open the box, and looked at what looked like a photograph album.
Puzzled, she took it out of the box and opened it to the first page, surprised that she found nothing. Knowing her husbands clever nature she turned to the next page, and then the next, but still finding nothing other than sheets where she could display photographs.
Okay, Smarty pants. Wheres the rest of it? Monica asked.
If I were you Id keep turning, Brad replied, causing Monica to turn another page, and then another.
Near the back Monica finally found a brochure advertising a cabin in the mountains.
When are we going? Monica asked. And how long will we be gone?
You will be gone for two weeks. I will not be going at all, Brad replied.
Monica had lived with Brad long enough to know the next page might produce another clue, but she was not prepared for what she would find.
Where did you get this, Brad? This is a picture of my sister Melanie whom I havent seen since we left the orphanage. Who is this woman with her? Oh my gosh....Oh my gosh... Its... Its....
Its me, whispered a voice behind her. Monica wheeled around and began to weep un-controllably as her sister rushed around the sofa to embrace her.
+++++++
The woman in this story went from where she had very little (an orphanage) to where she had anything she wanted (because of a rich husband). Are you at a point in your life where you have much more than you had at one time? If so, are you careful not to worship what you have and remember to continue to worship God instead?
The womans husband presented her with all types of gifts. Some were expensive, like a diamond necklace and a vacation in a German castle, while others were more personal, like being reunited with her best friend and her sister whom she had not seen in a long time. If you had your choice of any of the womans presents, which one would you choose? Which means more to you, tangible items or relationships? The older we get, the more likely we are to realize how much our loved ones mean to us. Which would you rather do? Spend a week with those you love or spend a week in a German castle? If you answered honestly, your answer was spend a week with those you love in a German castle. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the finer things in life. After all, God made all good things. What is important, however, is remembering to always put Him first before any tangible item or any other relationship. How are you doing at putting God first?
Take a minute and reflect on what things are really important to you. If you could have anything you asked for, what would you choose? If you were honest, you may have realized that you already have much of what makes you happy. Would you trade most of that you have for something else, or would you rather keep what you have? If God has already blessed you with a wonderful family, good friends, a home, and enough food to eat, have you remembered to thank Him each day for what He has given you?
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
moviesteve@rocketmail.com
Submitted by Richard
