Anna and the Apples

So rather than huge posts every couple months, I've decided I'm going to write shorter posts which means that it won't take so much energy to actually be unnecessarily productive as this blog fortunately requires me to be. This means moments and stories that I don't want to forget, starting with this one.

I have twin 9 yr old sisters: Anna and Miriam. I shared a hotel room with them for two weeks during the break when we first arrived in Maryland. Being in a hotel meant we got breakfast every morning. It ended at 9am. Which is ridiculous. Anyone who has ever lived with me knows that I stay up late and get up late. On the weekends, I get up at 1pm on a regular basis. And it's awesome. Unfortunately, that also meant I missed breakfast pretty much every day in the hotel.

Now, I love apples. I go through two Granny Smiths a day on a regular basis. I just love apples! The hotel served apples with breakfast. (That's important.)

The first two days in the hotel, I actually got out of bed at 8:57 to get to the breakfast room. But after that, I just stayed in bed. I figured a little hunger in the mornings was worth a few extra hours of sleep. But every morning when I finally woke up and breakfast was long over, I would find a little pile of apples on the pillow next to me. I didn't think much about it. I would eat them throughout the rest of the morning, and I never asked where they came from. No one claimed them, so I took them.

One night, Miriam, Anna, and Rebekah (my 8 yr old sister who also shared the room...and my bed) were cleaning up the room, and we started talking. Somehow we got on the subject of food. (Universally accepted conversation topic.)  I mentioned how much I love apples. Anna said, "I know you love apples. That's why I've been getting them for you since you miss breakfast every morning." I was so touched! How could someone so young have the ability to serve so diligently yet so anonymously and think nothing of it? 9 years old and Anna was already observing those around her to the degree that she noticed that I liked apples. I hadn't even told her! She had just noticed me eating them with breakfast the first few mornings. What an example!!!

Christ taught us to become as little children. I believe this is merely one of the many examples of why they are so dear to Him. The whole experience really made me think about how I serve others. Am I willing to serve others just because I know it will make their lives a little easier? More importantly, am I perceptive enough to others and the Spirit to know when there is an opportunity for me to serve others? To be the Lord's hands? I hope and pray that I can see those opportunities and act on them.