For the last two years, Papa has been speaking to me about restoring the innocence of my youth. I can clearly see the growth and healing that has taken place over the last two years of my life.
Just when I think the process is over He begins to reveal to me another area of healing. This process of cleansing has been a delightful journey. He continues to heal and restore me in the areas that childhood trauma once broke and stole from me.
This year for my 41st birthday, my Dad called to wish me a happy birthday! He let me know that he was mailing me a package and it would arrive next week. As he was speaking I was caught a little off guard with the whole birthday package thing.
Like clockwork, every year for my birthday my Mom sends me a heartwarming birthday card that always leaves me in tears; and my Dad sends money. My mother usually sends my birthday card a little early to ensure I will receive it before my birthday. My Dad, he usually sends money on my birthday through a Walmart-to-Walmart money transfer.
So, when he mentioned a package I immediately thought, what could he send me? I don’t really need anything. But I thanked him and anticipated the arrival of this package he was sending his little girl.
Exactly one week after my birthday the package arrives. I look at the package before opening it, wondering, “What could this possibly be?” As I open the package and pulled out what’s inside I begin crying. It was a Barbie doll! I know, a 41-year-old crying over a Barbie doll. As soon as I pulled this doll out of the package I could hear the words of my Heavenly Papa saying, “I am restoring the innocence of your youth.” What I didn’t tell you is that as a child Barbie’s were my thing. I loved Barbie dolls! This was so special to me.
Wait, there’s more in the package! A birthday card from my Dad which reads, “Daughter on your birthday, Dream Big, Laugh Lots, Have Fun, Be Happy!” Inside read: “In other words, just keep being yourself, because you’re a pretty amazing person to be. Happy Birthday!”
Then there’s also a poem he scribed inside of the card, “You are better than diamonds and gold, turquoise, God didn’t create to be sold. Earrings, which has each his pearl, arrived today, just for my little girl. Happy Belated B-day surprise package. PS. Not sorry that God used me on this day to make your eyes cry for joy in His very own way. XOX, Dad
I looked inside the package and there is this black velvet bag. I open it up and there are two gold necklaces, two gold bracelets, two gold rings (one with diamonds), and a pair of turquoise earrings each with its own pearl, just like the poem. Hahaha!
I called my Dad to thank him for my surprise package and all he could do is give God all the glory. He told me how he started to get me a porcelain Barbie doll, but God told him no, this one. This is the one you didn’t get her as a little girl. My Dad and I both were on the phone crying and thanking God for what He has done and what He is doing in both of our lives. Through this surprise package, Papa was bringing healing to me, as well as to my Dad. Healing me from childhood trauma, but healing my Dad of any guilt he was carrying.
I enjoyed each gift within this package, but the greatest gift of all was the words in this card and the Barbie doll. I still have this Barbie sitting next to my nightstand as a reminder, Papa keeps His promises and He continues to heal me from the pains of my past and restore me back to His original version of who He created me to be.
Thank you for the beauty of your love, Papa! Thank you for the gift of life.
[ “An Unexpected Package” originally posted on Live Life Free, reposted in its entirety with permission.]