Mailbox Sheltering - Part 3

There are no traffic jams when you go the extra mile. Zig Ziggler



I grabbed the mail out of the mailbox and there it was -- right on top -- a note from my niece in South Dakota.   They are missionaries there -- so far from home, but with hearts of love for the American Indians.  Oh what fun to get mail.  And when I opened it, I discovered a "tuck-in."  Pictures of my sweet grandniece and nephew.

I love to tuck something in my letters and cards.  It's that "something extra."  Sort of like apples on a sheltering tree.  It's certainly not necessary or expected; it's just a tiny blessing added to the thoughtfulness of sending a card.

As you see from my picture, I use whatever I can find that's flat and will mail easily.  If you keep the weight under an ounce you can still send it for a first class stamp.  Two ounces requires sixty-four cents.

My mother often tucks an article about a writer, beauty, or daughters into a letter she sends me. Ray, a friend from thirty-six years ago still sends us newspaper clippings or a church bulletin with news he thinks we are interested in.

One day I opened an envelope and a newspaper article fell out.  Our friend, Beth, tucked in a newspaper article about a Bedford fireman who was retiring -- one who was on duty when our Sarah went to Heaven.   He had mentioned Sarah in the interview article, and Beth knew how special that remembrance would be to us.

This "something extra" idea isn't original with me. Long before I was born Paul told the Ephesians, "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!"  We ask, He gives...then He gives a little more -- that something extra.

He provides money for a writer's trip to Florida, then prompts one of His children to give a bit more to buy writing books.  He provides a job--then makes sure it's one you will love.  You pray for peace and He sends it--with "joy unspeakable and full of glory" attached.  You pray for a friend, and God sends such sweetness--not just for you, but for your younger sister as well.  You ask for a publisher for your book--and they ask for a series of four.  You ask for God to bless your daughters--and the blessing turns into something too magnificent for words.

God's little extras never cease to amaze me.  I think I'm beyond surprise then I open one of His notes and a double blessing falls out.  Many times the blessings are brought by my family and friends.  I ask for rest and there's time for a nap... and a friend shows up at the door with a casserole.  I ask for more time and there's a cancellation that provides it... and my daughter does my laundry.

When God asks you to be the "extra something," obey that gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit.  He's fulfilling His promise to "abundantly bless."  The next time you ask God for a need, just watch when you open the envelope -- there's sure to be  a tuck-in, too.

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Mailbox Sheltering ~ Part One
Mailbox Sheltering ~ Part Two

This post is linked to 

Spiritual Sundays
Joy Filled Living

Simple Homemaking Tuesday
Brag on God Friday