Apr. 16, 2014

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christmas was barely over when our grandson Waylan began his pitch for his birthday present. Multiple times in the last few months, he has specifically told me what he would like for his birthday: a blue rainbow loom. About two weeks ago, he told me again. This time, I asked him if he’d told anyone else about his passion for a blue rainbow loom. He informed me that he was planning on me, and only me, on getting him the loom.

Tomorrow, Waylan turns 7. With it being Maundy Thursday and he having school, I knew celebrating his birthday tomorrow would be tricky. So, we celebrated last weekend.

He informed us that his birthday was this week. And then he said, “And it’s the blue rainbow loom I want, Dianne.” I didn’t clue him in that this exact loom was riding in the back of my vehicle, wrapped in green birthday paper. Accompanying the loom was a blue box to store the little rubber bands, about 10 packages of bands and a book with instructions on how to make an accurate fishtail pattern versus a double hexagon.

We let Waylan choose the location for lunch. I don’t think the location was all the important. He just wanted to open his present as soon as we had ordered food. Waylan tore into the box and was not disappointed when he discovered a blue rainbow loom. He literally hugged the box and then couldn’t get the box ripped open fast enough.

Waylan would have been content to stay at McDonald’s all afternoon with his rainbow loom. Eventually, we left and went to Baraboo. The plan was to let Grandpa nap while the kids and I went through the zoo and spent time at the playground. We went to the small zoo first. When we headed towards the playground equipment, Waylan asked if he could get something out of the car. He came back carrying his loom and the organizing box.

As sister Ellie swung and went down the slide, Waylan worked on rainbow loom project. Often, he asked me what color of bands he should use together. At times, I helped sort the bands by color. When we decided to walk down by the river, Waylan carried his organizing box like it was the most valuable thing he owns. When Ellie would find something to entertain herself for a while, Waylan would break open his organizer and continue on his latest project.

Several times over the course of the afternoon, Waylan exclaimed to me, “Dianne, this is THE. BEST. PRESENT. EVER.” It was enjoyable to observe him, a soon-to-be 7-year-old boy enthralled with making rings and bracelets from little rubber bands. More than once he said that his organizer is a replica to one his school friends has. But Waylan has more bands.

I wondered how long this phase of making things with the loom will last. When will he move onto the next cool thing? I don’t know. But for now, the blue loom is THE. BEST. GIFT. EVER. By a long shot.

What is YOUR BEST GIFT EVER? Would it take long for you to imagine what you would choose? For me, the best gift ever is what we remember and celebrate this week: how God sent his son into this word to redeem all people. I just hope that I can be half as excited about this gift throughout the week as Waylan is about his seemingly BEST. GIFT. EVER.

May we be amazed with the gift you have given us. May we never grow tired of it. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne                                                                                                          

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