An X and an O
It’s an X and an O. They’re bookends that prop up the beginning and the end of everything written in the books between them. They are the newest addition to my office, a big ole pink hug and kiss sitting there on my shelf. They make me happy, but not just because they’re so darn cute. It’s their story that makes them so special.
The first time I saw these bookends was during the Christmas season almost a decade ago. They caught my eye and made me think of my sister-in-law because they’re just her style and she works out of an office in her home. I could so see these bookends propping up her important files, reference books, or research material, so I bought them and wrapped them in Christmas paper, tagging them with her name. I wanted her to think of us and feel hugged and kissed everytime they caught her eye or caught the rest of her stuff when she pulled something off her bookshelf. She enjoyed them for many years, and I forgot all about them.
Recently she relocated and down-sized. The bookends didn’t make the cut. They ended up in the garage sale pile.
A few months after she was settled in her new home, she had that garage sale. I happened to swing by that day and those sassy little bookends caught my eye — again. Remember, I had forgotten all about them and didn’t realize I’d ever even seen them before. But this time when I saw them, I didn’t think of her; I thought of me. I had recently started a new job, and my new office desparately needed some cute decor and a few whimsical accents to personalize it.
When I asked her if I could buy them, she cast an embarrassed smile at my feet. I thought it odd and began to backtrack. She interrupted me to apologize. “You guys gave me those a long time ago, and I’ve loved them, but I don’t have room for them anymore.”
I told her it was okay and that I wanted them for myself this time. We hugged (the real kind), and I asked, “How much do I pay for them … again?” I parted with $3.00 and packed them in my car.
Redeemed. Bought back. Paid for twice.
Now, when they catch my eye or the rest of my books when I pull a title from my shelf, I don’t think of Christmas, my sister-in-law, or her garage sale. Instead, when I see those two pink symbols of love standing tall on my shelf, I think of redemption.
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.
~Fanny Crosby
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5, NAS)
These bookends are indeed too cute. I love your analogy – redeemed. What a great visual reminder of our redemption.
What a wonderful example of redemption. I believe the sweet spirit with which you bought them back is an analogy to the heart of God. There is no \”What?…I paid for them already?\” Oh another note ..you have encouraged me to do a better job of showing my sister-in-laws love!
Don\’t you just love how we can see God\’s story in the everyday things? I find that God generally speaks to me more through the \’everyday\’ than on a Sunday morning – which I guess is a good thing as there are far more \’everydays\’ in a week than there are Sundays!
Lovely reminder of Redemption and the price paid for us 🙂
I enjoyed this! Thank you!
Jo
Amen, amen.
Dawn, what a great post! We are redeemed indeed! Love those book ends too, they are adorable! 🙂