je t'aime

In her book Jesus CEO, Laurie Beth Jones describes Jesus’ practice of sending ladybugs as symbols of his love for her. My family adopted this tradition years ago, substituting a variety of devices in place of Laurie’s ladybugs. We call each of them a “Jesus-is-Thinking-About-Me.” For my husband, it’s helicopters. Our son Gray, now nine, has been collecting JiTAMs since he could talk—taxi cabs, certain types of clouds, etc. Yesterday he tells me with great delight of two unusual orange moths, which land for a moment on the toe of his sneaker. He adopts the occurrence as a new JiTAM. Charmed by his sweet faith, I decide not to point the improbability of such an event ever occurring again.

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I have two JiTAMs, only one of which I will disclose today: repetitive numbers. My heart swoons when I notice 22:22 minutes on the treadmill's counter, or at the sight of any clock displaying 3:33. The kicker: it has to be unexpected. There is no sitting in front of the digital alarm, waiting for 4:43 to flip to 4:44. Nope. The mark of a true JiTAM is the surprise factor. Once you and Jesus have established your symbol, you’ll see what I mean. And, like me, you’ll experience the depths of your Savior’s love. JiTAMs come when they are most needed: during times of sadness, exhaustion, self-doubt. They also come, I have found, when I have misbehaved: either as a precursor to, or as a reward for repentance.

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Yesterday I rush to the post office to send a package to some new friends, Christian artists I met via Twitter. They are scheduled to visit in November. The mail clerk hands me my receipt: $2.22. Rushing from the post to the grocery store and back home again to make dinner, I glance at the clock. 5:55! Two assurances from above, in less than half an hour—for me, a new record! I smile, anticipating the wonderful benefits that are sure to flow from this new friendship. Je T'aime, dear Jesus. Je T'aime.

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Give me a sign of your goodness ~ Psalm 86:17, NIV

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