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Out Our Way: "The Gift"

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved by faith - it is not your own doing but the gift of God."

Out our way, especially for "dust eaters" riding behind the herd as we moved them to better grazing lands, the "silk" scarf was essential. It wasn't really silk, but it wasn't a cheap cotton "bandana" you see in stores. Great for blowing your nose, but not much use in cutting the dust.

While riding with Charlie up on the Tiger Ridge, I had a black one that did the job for several years. But time comes to us all, and the black scarf began to fall apart. Holes and tears and unraveling took its toll. But by the time it became nesarly useless, Charlie had to retire as his COPD was made worse when Freckles fell on him and put him in a wheelchair. Big Mike gave up his lease and sold his herd not long after, so my days of working cattle were over as well.

I saved my old scarf, though it was useless - and some folks in Chinook who read my column took pity on me and sent me a new scarf. It was an unexpected gift and while I no longer was riding herd and didn't need it for cutting the dust - the real deal cowboy bandana also cuts the wind and cold when wrapped around the neck. It is 30 degrees out here on the high desert as I sit outside with my pup and write this, and the scarf is keeping me warm. It is an expected and undeserved gift, but much appreciated as ranch stores are rare in the city.

As the author of Ephesians points out, the grace of God is also an unexpected and undeserved gift. I certainly have done nothing to earn it, but I have been blessed throughout my life anyway. Yesterday I was blessed again when God allowed me to witness a couple becoming God's gift to an elderly disabled man. He was on an electric wheelchair and, beyond his hand on the controls, could barely move. Further, he had great trouble in speaking and being understood

This couple immediately stepped up to help him with his shopping, protected his dignity by leaving him alone afterwards, (but by "coincidence") checked out at the same time and witnessed him leave the store on his own steam. They were truly a "gift of God".

Gifts from God come in a variety of ways. The gift of the scarf to keep me warm this winter - the gift of my late son (named Nathaniel - Hebrew for "The Gift of God"), and this couple with the disabled man.

I got to witness them all, so I have seen the generous Hand of God at work in my life - as have you if you take the time to notice. When you see ... and even more, become a gift of God ... the promise of God's grace by faith as a free gift becomes more than a promise, but an expectation.

My hands are cold but my neck is warm. The gift of an unexpected scarf cuts the cold as it would cut the dust. I find the unexpected gifts of God all around, and maybe He will let you and me be one of them.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

The old dust eater in his fancy scarf: Brother John

 

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