Sometimes Wishes Do Come True

It was 1965.  I was twelve years old and I wanted a guitar so badly! Not that I could play one by any means! No. But I wanted one just the same. I knew they cost a lot of money and that my family could not afford many frivolous gifts for Christmas so was pretty sure I was wishing in vain! But I did go ahead and voice my wish to my Mama and Daddy.

Usually Christmas Day around our house was a busy time with family coming in for dinner and at the age of twelve I was already helping Mama do a lot of the cooking and cleaning for company.  I was the youngest of seven kids and by 1965 I was the only one left at home. I have nieces and nephews close to my own age so I always looked forward to them coming to visit on Christmas. They were more like cousins to me and I'm sure I was nothing like an "Aunt" to them! ha  Perhaps because of Christmas Day usually being busy, Mama, Daddy, and me most often exchanged/opened our gifts on Christmas Eve.

(Entry in my "Five-Year-Diary" from December 24, 1965)

Christmas Eve came and Mama brought out a big box.  I can't remember if it was even wrapped or not,  but inside this big box was the stuff dreams are made of...my wish come true!  A guitar of my own!  I loved it! It didn't matter, nor did I realize, that it was just a cheap guitar that would prove very hard to play.  What mattered was that it was mine and exactly what I had asked for.  There was a simple "Learn How to Play Guitar" book included and so in a couple of weeks I had taught myself to play several songs. Oh how I loved singing and playing that guitar. Alone or with friends. 

I wondered for a long time how it was that my parents were able to find the money to get me a guitar that year. Much later Mama finally told me that a appliance dealer in town was giving away guitars with the purchase of a new appliance that year and he had an extra guitar left which he sold to her. I'm sure at a low price that she was able to afford. I really thought that was a pretty awesome story.

That guitar traveled with me to many states and even Canada while on summer choir tours with the Youth Choir from First Baptist Church. It holds a special place in my heart still, although it has been retired and when I play the guitar now I have a much better, easier-to-play one that Benny gave me...also for Christmas!...several years ago.

Why did I even voice my wish for a guitar to my parents all those years ago as a twelve year old when I knew in my heart they could not afford one? I wanted a guitar! So why am I hesitant to ask my Heavenly Father..Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the hills themselves!.... for the things I would like to have? I suppose that over the years I have lost some of the child-like faith that I had back in 1965. But I'd like to get it back!

Jesus wants to hear from me. He wants to hear from you. In fact, He invites us to ''ask'' of Him in Luke 11:9-13 (And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father,will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?)

Jesus tells us that if we as imperfect humans give good gifts to our children, how much more shall He give to us when we ask Him. It may not always be a tangible gift that we receive. Verse 13 talks about the Father giving the Holy Spirit to those who ask.  But sometimes it just might be a gift that you can see and touch that He gives to us! God knows what we need...and what we wish for!

I wish for you this Christmas season that you receive a gift from the Father above that will meet a special need in your life at this particular time! He is able!

God bless you!

Marilyn