From His Pocket

I had the opportunity to visit with my Bishop today for tithing settlement.  We had a nice interview and he obviously knew that my financial situation was somewhat dire.  When my tithing contributions are full and yet so little it is easy to tell that we are not living high on the hog.  Anyway he asked me about Christmas and wanted to know if we were okay.  I told him that someone had given us some money and I was able to get the kids taken care of.  He asked about me and I told him that was my gift, just to see the joy on their faces.  I guess I never reported that... on Friday morning before we left for the airport I went to the store with the Secret Santa gift money and got the kids some things they wanted.  Naturally I was running late so Natalie was calling wondering where I was at and worried about us not leaving on time.   Anyhow, I got home with the gifts sitting in the back of the car.  I went inside, gathered the kids, told them I had bumped into somebody with the car and they needed to come and take a look.  We gathered at the back of the car and I had them close their eyes while I opened the tailgate.  They opened their eyes and I told them that it was Santa that I had bumped into and he put a little something in the car for them.  They were excited and that joy in their eyes was all I really needed for Christmas and that's what I was trying to convey to the Bishop.  He said I needed to get something for myself and he pulled money from his pocket and handed it to me.  I don't know what I could get myself that would bring me more joy than what I saw in my kids faces but I was humbled and grateful to the Bishop for his concern for me.  I have a package to send to The Arizona Scottsdale Mission.  I don't know how much it will cost but the money from the Bishop will afford me the opportunity to give myself another gift of giving and that is what I really want for Christmas.  Okay, fine, if there is anything left over I might look into getting myself a second pair of jeans, maybe.  I am grateful for the Bishop and for his concern for me.  I may have broken some sort of manly protocol when I got up to leave.  Bishop had just reached in his pocket and I didn't want to linger because I was getting a bit misty so I got up to leave and Bishop came around the desk to shake my hand, I just gave him a hug and thanked him.  I'd imagine that since the Bishop represents the Lord that there is no break in protocol in giving a misty eyed hug, for even the manliest of men will fall at the Lords feet and bath them with their tears.