Special occasions call for special attention.
In the 1960’s, grocery stores commonly had promotions to get you to buy groceries at their establishment. They gave away “Green Stamps” for each dollar you spent. These were usually pasted onto stamp books, which, after saving up enough, could be redeemed at stores with catalogs from which you could choose the merchandise you wanted. This was a great way to get the kids to help; give them a sponge to wet the stamps to press into the books and let the fun begin.
Grocery stores also gave away or sold at a small cost, cookware or dishes with a set dollar amount of purchased groceries. My mother used this method to obtain her set of china. I don’t remember how long it took, but she would bring home a piece of china to add to her set with each weekly purchase. The pattern was “Blue Garland” by Haviland, which had dainty blue flowers with silver trim.
Mom collected her china until she had eight place settings, which included dinner and salad plates, soup bowls, cups and saucers, serving pieces, and a coffee pot with sugar and creamer. I don’t know if Mom quit collecting them because she had all she wanted or if the store stopped offering them and moved on to another promotion. She had her set and carefully packed them away for safekeeping.
Mind you, we were not fancy people. We lived in a trailer on my grandparents’ farm. Family dinners and holidays were at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. We used paper plates and cups because the crowd was so big, and who wants to spend the afternoon doing all those dishes? Those holiday dinners were filled with laughter, fun, and delicious food that would have tasted good served on anything! I miss those large family dinners with the paper plates and metal TV trays.
Over the years, the china was loaned out to friends for their own special occasions. Still, I don’t ever remember it being used by our family. I forgot about it until years later when my parents downsized, and the set was offered to me. I was happy to receive it. It was special but not so treasured that I would never put it to use! I enjoy using the dishes at least once a year. It reminds me of Mom, but it also reminds me that it’s nice to bring out the best for the best!
This kind of special treatment doesn’t signify love as much as it shows honor, the type of honor that says, “I love you, and I want you to know I want the best for you. Thank you!” Isn’t that how it is in our relationship with God? We trust and thank Him and want to give Him the best and do our best in honor and love.
Sometimes, we make sacrifices for those we love, not like burnt offerings, but the kind of sacrifice that involves giving of ourselves and our time, like lovingly washing and drying those precious china dishes by hand and storing them away for the next opportunity of honor.
Take a moment to think about the little ways you can love and honor those you love. A set of fancy dishes doesn’t give some people warm fuzzies like a plastic plate filled with their favorite foods. Pray for the wisdom to know.
Love one another with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10
A LIVING STONE 