It's just stuff - or is it? For the first time in over ten years, I am packing.
In the midst of that process, I have wondered, how did I accumulate so much stuff? It has occurred to me, it's not just stuff I'm packing.
It's tangible evidence of memories.
Some of the memories are in actual memory books - yearbooks, wedding albums, family photo albums and some very old memory books from both my husband's family and mine.
Some are in hand made gifts my sons gave me when they were toddlers and in grade school, their wedding pictures, thoughtful gifts given when they actually had money to spend on a gift and gifts given to me by cherished family and friends - some of whom are no longer with me to thank.
I collect dishes and Christmas decorations.
My husband has generously encouraged that crazy search for another piece of depression glass or presented me with a set of beautiful china - again and again.
Most of the lovely dishes I have I did not purchase.
My husband also laughs as we wash dishes together and I remind him where each dish came from - the names of the givers are impressed upon my memory.
I am grateful for those who cared enough to give me a thoughtful gift because they knew it was something I would enjoy.
I have used every gift and thought of the giver as I did so.
If, for some reason, I am never able to unbox all of this "stuff", it's OK because I am not packing away the memories.
They are part of who I am and how I know I am loved.
Ultimately, I know that God is the source of each gift.
I became spiritually rich the day I asked Jesus to be my Savior.
That richness includes being in an eternal royal family, part of a family that shows their love by giving - those things that memories are made of.
Jesus continues to give daily gifts, the intangible gifts of His caring intervention, His time, His sweet presence in my life and in the lives of those I love.
Every thing I have - tangible and intangible - is because of Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your love, salvation and for every sister and brother who also gives a tangible evidence of their love.
I am rich beyond words.
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights (James 1:17a).
In the midst of that process, I have wondered, how did I accumulate so much stuff? It has occurred to me, it's not just stuff I'm packing.
It's tangible evidence of memories.
Some of the memories are in actual memory books - yearbooks, wedding albums, family photo albums and some very old memory books from both my husband's family and mine.
Some are in hand made gifts my sons gave me when they were toddlers and in grade school, their wedding pictures, thoughtful gifts given when they actually had money to spend on a gift and gifts given to me by cherished family and friends - some of whom are no longer with me to thank.
I collect dishes and Christmas decorations.
My husband has generously encouraged that crazy search for another piece of depression glass or presented me with a set of beautiful china - again and again.
Most of the lovely dishes I have I did not purchase.
My husband also laughs as we wash dishes together and I remind him where each dish came from - the names of the givers are impressed upon my memory.
I am grateful for those who cared enough to give me a thoughtful gift because they knew it was something I would enjoy.
I have used every gift and thought of the giver as I did so.
If, for some reason, I am never able to unbox all of this "stuff", it's OK because I am not packing away the memories.
They are part of who I am and how I know I am loved.
Ultimately, I know that God is the source of each gift.
I became spiritually rich the day I asked Jesus to be my Savior.
That richness includes being in an eternal royal family, part of a family that shows their love by giving - those things that memories are made of.
Jesus continues to give daily gifts, the intangible gifts of His caring intervention, His time, His sweet presence in my life and in the lives of those I love.
Every thing I have - tangible and intangible - is because of Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your love, salvation and for every sister and brother who also gives a tangible evidence of their love.
I am rich beyond words.
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights (James 1:17a).
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