Erika's Gift

There once was an ordinary little girl who lived in a very ordinary world and did many ordinary things. One day, she was walking along when she happened upon a small silver box. "How curious," she thought, as she knelt down to pick it up. On the box was a white tag which read "Open me and receive a gift that will bring joy and pain, suffering and sorrow, sweetness and delight. Keep me closed and remain safe from all." She shivered with anticipation at the descriptions of goodness, cringed at the words of harshness.
She considered a long while, then with a quick motion removed the bow topped lid. "Oh how dreadfully disappointing. There's nothing inside." She stared down into the empty box for a moment and then replaced the lid and put the box back where she found it. "I should have known it would be nothing because nothing exciting or extraordinary ever happens to me," she thought as she walked away.

Time passed and the little girl grew into a young woman. She continued to live a very ordinary life filled with ordinary tasks like washing pile after pile of dirty dishes, tending to the needs of small children, cooking and baking endless meals, and dozens of other household chores. And despite her busyness, she also found time for ordinary volunteering and education.
Late one night as she lay in her bed drowsily considering all that lay before her the next day, a light suddenly appeared in the room. Startled, she looked up to see a beautiful lady dressed in white gazing at her with intense eyes and a gentle smile. "Who are you? What do you wha-," the girl began, but as she was forming the questions, the lady held up her hand. "I know you have many questions about me. There is a time and place for questions but now is not the time. My errand has one concern only and that is you." "Me? I am the reason you are here?" queried the girl curiously. "Yes. I am here to help you See," the lady of beauty answered. "See? I can see fine,"came the girl's quick defensive reply. "You can only see what you perceive is reality. I am here to help you see what is true and real. The Dimension of Truth we call it. I will take you there now."

The room began to spin and soon it was whirling so fast the girl was afraid she might be sick. But then the motion suddenly slowed and through the haze, the girl could perceive prism like lights and shadowy forms which gradually became various people and colors as her focus grew. As she gazed around her, the girl could see bright gems shimmering in the inside of all the people around her. There was a strangely familiar feel to the whole atmosphere and as she focused more, she began to recognize the people as her family and friends. "What is happening?" she asked. "Why do they all have those precious gems inside them?" "You put them there," the beautiful lady said smilingly. "Me? No, no, I couldn't have. You must be confused," said the girl in a state of bewilderment. "No, it was you and only you," the lady reiterated with a small laugh. "But, how? I am just an ordinary girl without any special powers or extraordinary gifts," stammered the confused girl. "Oh, but you do have a gift, a very special and powerful one. Think back to the day you found a mysterious box and the inscription on that box which described all the risks and delights of its contents. You opened the box knowing that the gift would bring those things and yet you were willing to accept this double sided offering. You thought the box was empty but in fact, that day you DID receive a gift. One that is not perceptible to the ordinary senses. It is called The Compassionate Servant's Heart. Look down. You can see it now." The girl looked down at the area where her heart was located and there, gleaming with an inner glow, was an exquisite gem sparkling with myriads of colors. She gasped in amazement. "I never knew it was there" she whispered, gazing in rapt wonder. "Those who have the gift never do know" said the lady. "They are always too busy giving it away to notice what a treasure they really have." "I have been giving away my gift without ever having the knowledge of its possession?" asked the girl, still trying to understand. "Yes, and therein lies the real beauty and power of this gift. Because the possessor is unaware of their gift, they constantly give it away through the smallest of actions and the most insignificant of words. Watch now and see what the power of your gift has done."

The girl directed her attention in the direction the beautiful woman pointed and as she watched, scenes from her life began to unfold. But now she saw them through unveiled eyes and she stared as she saw the glittering diamonds drip from her fingers into the sudsy dishwater, extraordinary rubies with heart shapes explode from her chest into others as she hugged them, fed them, and gave them medicine, baths, and all forms of love and care, breathtakingly shaped sapphires and topaz stones roll from her tongue as she sang songs at work or to small ears. In the dull, gray landscape of her life, the colors of her gift began to so transform and change it that soon the shimmer and sparkle was hard to bear. But as she looked on with a feeling of intense pleasure, the girl started to feel sharp jabs of pain. "Oh, what is that pain?" she gasped, stunned by its force. "Now you are feeling both sides of your gift. In its impartation, sometimes the gift will cost you great pain and sorrow. At times it must be given in the most humbling and lowliest of circumstances. The Compassionate Servant's Heart has to be broken sometimes in order for you to bestow it," explained the lady with a sympathetic look. The girl, bowed by the intensity of suffering, wished silently that she had never opened the box, never accepted this wonderful gift with its terrible responsibility. But as she considered a life without her gift, she remembered the colorless landscape and lifeless faces which had preceded it. "No I would not change it, even to give myself a better life or situation, free of pain and subservient duties. If I can help bring but a little change to the world around me with my gift, then it is worth all the unpleasantness to gain the pleasure." "You have chosen wisely," a silvery voice said as the air began to swirl and swim around her.

Dawn was breaking as the girl sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes wearily. "That was not a restful night," she thought. "I can't remember any of my dream but it must have been a real adventure because I'm exhausted!" The girl got up and began to go about her usual ordinary tasks but unconsciously there was an extra tenderness in her touch, softness in her voice, and eagerness in her service. And even though the girl never remembered the dream or the beautiful lady who had helped her See, the lingering effects of that subconscious knowledge continue to impact and be felt by all those around her. And I am one of them.

This story was written as a tribute to my sister Erika, whose birthday it happens to be today. She is the possessor of a Compassionate Servant's Heart and I can't think of all the ways in which she has blessed me and many others by her loving heart, crinkly-eyed smile and infectious laugh, her service, and her joyous spirit. All those who know her love her and this is the reason: because the compassionate servant heart of the Savior, Jesus, beats inside her. I know this probably better than most because I was her roommate (and restless bunk mate) for many years. That alone is testimony of her gracious heart! Erika is not only a sister to me, she is also a best friend, a true companion, and best of all, a sister in Christ. She is one of a kind and I just want to say "Happy, Happy Birthday to you Erk! I love you and miss you more than I will ever let on."