Spring onions, radish, marigold and zinnia seeds, plastic trays with soil to start growing plants. The perfect items to help jump start my garden this year! I thought. I dropped them all in my shopping cart. At least I found something here at the garden store, even if it wasn’t what I’d come for. I still felt disappointed. What in the world was I going to get for my cousin Kathryn? Lord, I prayed, help me find the perfect gift to lift her spirits.
What could anyone possibly get to cheer up someone who had just received the most terrible news? Kathryn had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. I called her up and made plans to see her. But I didn’t want to come empty-handed. A potted plant was the best idea I came up with, but there was nothing at the store that I’d liked.
“Find everything you were looking for?” the cashier asked as I was checking out.
“Yes,” I said. At least the items that I needed for myself. I figured I could find something for Kathryn at one of the other stores around.
But as I got into the car, a thought entered my mind.
Give Kathryn what you got for yourself.
Seeds? Soil? Don’t be silly, I reasoned. Kathryn had so much on her plate dealing with her health, and I was going to give her one more thing to do?
“Give Kathryn what you got for yourself.”
This time, it was clear the thought wasn’t mine. It was like a voice, speaking directly to me. I couldn’t ignore it.
I arrived at Kathryn’s house, the bag of seeds and soil trays in my hand. We chit chatted a bit. “How are you doing?” I asked. I was happy to hear her strong faith was carrying her through the difficult days of treatment.
“Well, I don’t know why I’m giving you this,” I said finally, handing her the bag. “I was looking for the perfect gift, but a little voice told me to give you this…”
She opened it up. Tears came to her eyes.
“I’m sorry, I know it’s not the best gift to get right now…”
“No, Lill, you don’t understand, it’s perfect.” Kathryn said. “Just last night, I told my husband I need these things. I want to grow a garden. Seeing the vegetables sprout and the flowers bloom, that will inspire me.”
Months later, Kathryn is enjoying the early yields from her garden. She’s been doing well enough to go back to work. And I’ve learned not to dismiss those thoughts that come to all of us sometimes, leading us to unexpected, wonderful blessings.
