Selfishness is In-Grown !!

Green Sweater
courtesy photobucket.com

Ann Voskamp wrote about a Christmas of Long ago when her elderly grandmother with the creaking knees, gave matching ugly sweaters to both her and her sister.  That story triggered a memory.

It must have been the Christmas of 1947 that I received from my mother, a long sleeved bright green cable knit cardigan sweater.  I was a selfish girl and not happy with what I had been given.

I was in high school, and one cold wintery day during gym I put on my ugly sweater to give me warmth. 

 

Soon I noticed another girl wearing an identical sweater.  I sidled up to her and asked if she received her sweater for Christmas, and she replied, “Yes I did.”  She seemed happy with her sweater, and I decided to be happy with mine.

I don’t remember commenting that it probably was on sale and couldn’t be returned, but that is what I thought at the time.

Another Christmas not that long ago, I decided to order Christmas gifts from an online catalogue company, and have them delivered to one of my family members who lived far away.  Taking care to select each item, something for each member of the family, I placed my order.

To put it mildly I was shocked about two weeks later to receive a notice that all the packages had been returned to the company.  What burr was under her saddle I was not certain, but something major had ticked her off.

Writing a Christmas card which included a check, I mentioned that perhaps she could use the funds to select something each member of the family would like, as I have trouble choosing the right gift.

She wrote back that she was pleased to do the shopping and had found just the right items for her family.

Problem solved and lesson learned. 

Hebews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Sylvia commented: So, they still appear: the bright green cable-knit cardigans under the tree! (heh)