The KEYS to Heaven

They hang from his neck and jingle constantly. I've never really understood why he wears this conglomeration of things that dangle off a lanyard that says "I love Jesus." It just seems to be growing and growing. I remembering lifting it once to dust while he had it off and I was amazed at how heavy it was. "My goodness, Steve, how can you lug this thing around all day on your neck? It is heavy!" "Yes, it is.", he admitted. "It seems to just grow as each day passes." He shared with me a funny story about a young lady that works at Wal-mart. He had stated that she told him that she was looking for "One just like it.." and asked him to keep an eye out for one for her. We talked about how the biggest complement one can receive, is to have someone want something just like yours.

As I studied this huge hunk of jewelry/pretties, I realize that there were a mixture of medals, crucifixes, rings, key chains and other miscellaneous things. No rhyme or reason, just stuff; most of it had a religious theme. Lots of Holy Spirits, some things that Jerry and I had given Steve and obviously lots of sentimental items, like his mother's wedding ring. A hunk of stuff that just keeps growing. I'll often walk in on Steven looking at his "necklace" and going through each item with his fingers. I surmise that he is reminiscing. Deep in thought nonetheless.

Other people are drawn to this necklace, too. like children. We have mutual friends that have little ones and they often will sit quietly on Steve's lap and play with the assortment of items. They love to put their little fingers in the rings or feel the medals if they have raised pictures on them. At one time, I had given my friend my baby ring and they loved that one because it actually fit their tiny fingers. Even adults will walk up and jingle the lanyard. I've even heard one of them even ask my friend if they were "the keys to heaven".

Keys to heaven, now that is an interesting concept. A few weeks later, I found that that necklace or conglomoration of things have much more significance than I understood. We were driving down the street when I noticed a man on a bicycle that seemed familiar to me. "Don't you know that man?", I asked. "Yeah, that's Mike." I felt a little foolish because people always come up to me and ask me if I know so and so because she/he is disabled, also. Like we all know each other! I did a u-turn and waited for Mike to come by on his bike. It wasn't a long wait and the red-haired man came by. "Hi, Mike." Like typical men, they shared some small talk and bantered about the street life. They discussed old times and the tightness of the economy and just as Mike began to leave, he said, "Oh wait!" He opened a very worn backpack . "Here, my friend. I found this dumpster diving last week. It brought you to mind." Mike handed Steve a key chain shaped like a fish that had "JESUS" written on it. He also gave him a crucifix pin which Steve didn't waste anytime putting both immediately on his lanyard. "Thank you, my friend.", Steve said as we pulled off. "Wow" I said, "is that how that necklace began?" "Yes, gifts!" That's amazing! "Well, I don't have a jewelry box to keep them in. Besides they are gifts. You don't give gifts away, do you?"

I had to think about that one for awhile. Perhaps, being the keys to heaven wasn't that far out. Maybe, if we all gave out of our own possessions, gifts would mean a lot more. Likewise, if we all cherished what our friends did give us with a new appreciation, we would hang on more tightly to what truly matters.