What Will Be In Your Box?

"These boxes all have names on them," Mr. Jones muses.  Turning to Peter he asks, "Do I have one?"

Some of you remember the story of Mr. Jones in Bruce Wilkinson's popular book, The Prayer of Jabez.  It's a story that's affected me profoundly; I often wonder what will be in my "box" when I get to heaven. 

For those who haven't read the book, it's about asking for God's blessings.  Near the beginning, Wilkinson shares the story of Mr. Jones who has just entered the gates of heaven and is on a tour with Peter.  They come to a large warehouse and Mr. Jones wants to go inside but Peter assures him he does not.  Mr. Jones finds this strange, especially after his tour of heaven is complete and he has seen everything . . . except the warehouse. 

Mr. Jones convinces Peter to show him the building and when they walk in they see stacks and stacks of beautiful white boxes wrapped in red ribbons.   The boxes are stored alphabetically.  Peter tries to stop him but Mr. Jones is intent on finding the box with his name on it.  Mr. Jones eagerly grabs his box to unwrap it. 

Here's what happens next . . .

"Looking inside, Jones has a moment of instant recognition, and he lets out a deep sigh like the ones Peter has heard so many times before.  Because there in Mr. Jones's white box are all the blessings that God wanted to give him while he was on earth . . . but Mr. Jones had never asked."

I often find myself wondering what will be in my box when I get to heaven.  An awesome family vacation?  A friendship that was never nurtured? 

A child? 

What will be in your box?

"And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."      Luke 11:9