It is with sadness that we flew to Los Angeles two weeks before Christmas. My brother-in-law, who had also been one of my closest friends, had tragically passed away. While there, my wife and I were encouraged to visit his apartment to see if there was anything we would like to have to remember him by. Though I felt like an intruder doing so, for I would have far preferred to be welcomed by my friend himself instead of the inanimate objects blankly staring at me, we did as they suggested.

Once in the apartment, my wife was immediately drawn to a framed picture of a nice-looking, middle-aged woman. “Look,” she exclaimed. “Here’s a picture of Granny. You never met her, because she died before we were married, but she was my dad’s mom. I don’t have any pictures of her at all. I wonder if I could have this one.” She didn’t take it then, however. Instead, she wrote it down on a list, intent on letting her sister-in-law know what she hoped to take before taking it.

Before we went back to the apartment to retrieve the things off the list however, we learned that my wife’s uncle, who had come all the way from Washington State to attend the funeral, had seen the picture, and not realizing that my wife wanted it, he had taken it. My wife quickly acknowledged that her uncle should have the picture, as it was his mother. However, I could see how disappointed she was.

In the meantime, I was enjoying getting to know my wife’s uncle and aunt. It was the first time we had been given the opportunity to meet, and I found them both to be lovely people. “It is really too bad that they live so far away from us!” I thought to myself.

When we arrived at the memorial service held in honor to my brother-in-law, we discovered that our six-year-old niece, who had ridden in our car, had fallen asleep. My wife picked her up from the car seat to carry her in, but when I prepared to follow them, her uncle tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to follow him to his car. Once there, he handed me a beautiful frame containing the picture of my wife’s Granny.

“Please take it!” He said to me.

My eyes wide-open of surprise, I finally stammered: “I can’t! This is a picture of your mom.”

But he insisted, even making me promise not to say anything to my wife until we got home.

I didn’t. Once back home, I discreetly put the treasured frame on our mantel and let it stay there until it was discovered. How delighted my wife was when she noticed it the next morning. That heartfelt token meant a lot to both of us, and somehow, it even brought us some comfort during these difficult circumstances.

Lyn’s uncle and aunt had reached out to us with a prized possession, and in doing so, they brought a glimmer of light into the dark situation. I may have lost a close friend, but by the grace of God, I have made acquaintances with two other wonderful people. I only hope they realize how much this means to us! By the way, in case they are reading, a little surprise is on their way. It is amazing what one can do with modern technology!

“‘When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” (Matt 25:38-40 NIV)

You, too, can make a difference to the people around you. Will you let Jesus shine out through you?

Rob Chaffart