A Drawer for Insurance

In Sharon Creech's children's book The Unfinished Angel Mr. Pomodoro was once a poor child whose mother brought home a box of chocolate covered cookies for her children. He knew that when shared he would only get one cookie, so he snuck the box to the basement and ate them all, enjoying their chocolately goodness.

As an adult, Mr. Pomodoro has a drawer full of chocolates of every kind, so that whenever he wants, he can open the drawer and select a chocolate. And now he doesn't really need to, but it's like insurance to him.

The angel of the story draws a parallel to a drawer in our head, where all of us stuff something we need to hold onto for insurance, something we felt deprived of, friendly words or looks or praise.

Saving up kindness and appreciation can surely bring comfort on those days when we feel neglected or misused. Jesus said a cup of cold water given in His name will not lose it's reward. I have mostly thought of that verse as meaning we are stockpiling rewards in heaven. But perhaps just as importantly, we are depositing into other people's drawers, helping them get through the difficult moments of their lives.

My aunt had a safety deposit box at her bank, something most people don't use anymore. A place to keep the most valuable objects one wouldn't want to leave around the house. These drawers within others can hold even more important treasure, lasting into eternity, formed of kindness and helpful actions, loving words, encouraging looks, applause for accomplishments.

Make a deposit in someone you love today. Or even better, in someone you don't particularly enjoy.