One of the highlights of my sleepaway camp days was the packages wrapped in repurposed brown grocery bags lovingly inscribed with my name, cabin, camp address, and, most importantly, the cartoon characters drawn by my mother on the back making amusing comments in speech bubbles. They were all different shapes, sometimes metal danish cookie tins others, small cardboard boxes. Tucked inside was an assortment of candies, baked goods, and other things she thought I’d need: money, socks, a rain poncho,  a picture, and always a letter describing all the goings-on in the neighborhood. The letters were the most valuable content and were saved.

Later, when my brother went away to mechanic school and after joined the marines, Mom and I would pack the care packages with as much love and deliciousness we could find. When I left as well to go away to college, Mom continued to send off packages to us both on her own.

While the goodies in the packages were always appreciated, the real gift was the tangible expression of love found in every box. I’ve been thinking about care packages of late because I have a friend who has set me awash in a stream of love for my family. Countless times when I have been feeling down, stressed out, or aggravated, a sudden loud “THUNK” on the porch alerts me to the deposit of some thoughtful expression. I will never be able to thank her enough.

The entire experience has left me pondering the many ways in which God demonstrates His love for us. One of those ways is that when I need direction, bible verses I’ve learned jump to the forefront of my mind. Inside the covers of His word to us, I can find comfort, strength, hope, peace, and above all, love.