Today starts a new legacy for something that I have had in my home for about ten years, but has always been a part of my life. What is that, you ask? My dad’s jewelry box. I don’t know about yours, but my dad’s jewelry box was a treasure box of stored goodies. Anything from jewelry to an old ceramic marble could be found in there! One of my favorites? A little tiny bible that you can actually read out of. It was so cool and we had to be very careful when we opened it so nothing would happen to it. I don’t know the story behind that bible or where it came from, but I know it was always there as far back as I can remember. I have that Bible today and Ethan finds as much joy in that little book as I did. As a child, I loved to browse that jewelry box often. He even had coins and silver dollar bills and some $2 bills that could be found in there. Good times and memories!
So this weekend as Ethan and I were talking, he mentioned he really wanted a jewelry box for his ring and a few necklaces he had. So I thought today was a good day to share more of the story, empty out the items and send it home with him. I also told him how much I know my folks would have loved to meet him and that they would be proud of him wanting that old jewelry box for his treasures! He was very excited and told me how he was going to take such great care of it. I love passing the legacy of stories along to him. That is how he can learn more about where he comes from.
So I am happy to report it went into his little backpack to its new home and somehow I feel that mom and dad are looking down with big smiles today on that little boy who wanted that box.
As I was filling up my “good glass” with ice tea the other day, I was reminded of my “life motto” that I made several years back to drink out the good glass every day. At the time that I decided that was important in my life, I had already lost my mom and then several years later, my dad. I was thinking back over my times with them and my grandparents, and realized that sure, it is all stuff; stuff that they couldn’t take with them, but, that I now have. That means that these items are now mine to enjoy, as they obviously did because it was a part of their household. Why would that idea come to mind to use an item as a way to remember the blessings of my life?
Here is my little journey of thought on that question. Background: When I was a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my grandma. My mom never learned to drive so when we
Where does your journey lead?
would travel to my grandma’s house, we would either ride down early with my dad and he would drop us off before work, or we would pay ten cents per person, and ride the shuttle car into to town. Now this shuttle car was a green station wagon owned by a man who lived in Cedarhome, just outside of Stanwood in Washington state. He would get up every day and drive from Stanwood up to Brandstrom’s corner(up close to I-5), which was about a five mile trip, to meet the Greyhound bus. He would take people from the bus stop by the highway into the town of Stanwood. So anyone along the way, could stand out by the road and catch a ride with him. We would watch for his car and flag him down. THAT was our way back and forth from town; once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Special arrangements would have to be made with him for other times. He knew us well. So it was a big thing to go to Grandma’s house on our own while dad was at work.
My Grandma had everyday dishes, and then she had her good dishes that were used for special holidays. But somewhere along the way, she had this plate and was “different”. It was creamy white and rose colored, with these beautiful roses on it. I was attracted to the plate as a little girl and it became “my plate” to eat off of. Grandma knew I loved that plate so she would try to make sure that it was at my place setting for me. I have never forgotten that. And that is still kind of my style to this day. I love old and pretty things that have meaning to me. My house is full of them. So it is quite natural for me to come to the conclusion that my “one glass that I have of hers” is used most every day. Or, that I would purchase that special cup to drink my mocha from, or, to share a mocha across the table with a friend.
Further, when my kids were little, I had a special red plate that they got to use on birthdays or special occasions that we could write a message on. They loved getting that plate set at their place setting when they were young. Ethan, my grandson, knows the story of drinking from the good cups and glasses, and he will ask for them at my house. He knows the meaning of many of my things in my home and I feel it is a way to pass on the legacy. Items may be just stuff, but it all has a story. I’m sad that I couldn’t have my grandma long enough to be OLD ENOUGH, to share how much those things meant to me as a child. So I don’t want that to be the case with me. I want to share the stories. I was given a set of silverware a while back by a very good friend; the set was her mother’s. When I opened the case, I found the set was the very one that was my grandma’s and then my mom’s. SO fun to use at my table now. But also in that case was a very beautiful vintage fork. It now has become my daily fork. It reminds of some great people in my life! Like a reminder every day of my blessings!
So, you might ask, what does this have to do with me? A lot. We all have things in our life that we need to share with someone. Your story. Your life. But many may not know. It is something that only you can tell. And, it IS worth telling. I often wish I could sit with my grandparents and parents and ask the questions that I didn’t quite feel comfortable asking them as a young person. Not sure where the idea came from that I wouldn’t be able to ask, but I sure do wish I would have. However, I can make the memories all come alive again through the stories and experiences that I have! What a blessing a legacy is!
So this is the deal: Life is an exciting journey and I want to live mine out to the fullest extent that I am given. I am excited about life over all; hardships and all. But you know what excites me even more? That I have a Heavenly Father that is saving not only the special table for me to sit down at, but He is saving a room just for me in His mansion in Glory. Now that is something to celebrate!! Maybe mine will be decorated with old furniture and vintage decor. I don’t know. Smile…but He does know my heart. To think I am invited to His banqueting table to enjoy meals with the saints, well…that just does my heart a whole lotta good! So I am going to practice here on earth with special dishes, glasses and cups so that I am ready for that heavenly banquet. If my earthly family benefits from my practice, so much the better! Don’t lose out by forgetting to remember. God has given us what we have, and we should appreciate it and share it with others. So, grab that special glass that you are afraid to use in case something happens to it! Use it. Enjoy the memories that come with it! And smile all the while knowing that with Jesus in your heart, you will be enjoying the ultimate feast with the most beautiful table you have ever seen… sometime in your future.
Lift your glass or cup to some comforting and cozy times! Walking the journey with you…
If you could choose a place where you can go when you need to be refreshed, where would it be? Where can you go, that when you get there, you can dial down, hear God’s voice, and actually feel your spiritual tank getting filled back up? In Romans 15:32, it says “… so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.”
My place? Anywhere near the water. That’s a beach, ocean, river, stream; it doesn’t matter. I love to sit and look out on the water. When I am there, I can feel my body calming down, I can breathe deep of the fresh air and feel the relaxation that the water brings to my soul. The ocean is one of my most favorites but I will take what I can get where I am, which is usually the bay, a lake or river. I can think and create there, and it is there that often times God places special things in my heart. If we know our place of replenishment, then why don’t we go there more often? We know what it can do for us, we know it gets our creative juices flowing again, and that our spirit is renewed. So, what is the problem?
I think it has to do with what we tell ourselves. What do you tell yourself that keeps you from being in that spot where you can be lifted up? Is it the time? You might have to do somethings differently to make it happen, but you can. Is it children? It may mean taking kids along with you. Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and milk with you. GO! Even if it is cold, you can go with the kids and have a car picnic and enjoy the view and talk about all things fun with your kids while you look out, see the beauty, and let God speak into your heart. Even a ride through the country can change a mood pretty quickly when you see the beauty all around you. Maybe it isn’t the water at all but a country farm, or a hike. Whatever it may be, find it. Search it out. If it is just you and your sweetheart, then pack a love basket, bundle up and go for a walk on the beach, and look for shells, or just go for a drive. If you are a camera bug like me, make some memories with your camera. BUT DO SOMETHING!
What if you can’t get to a beach or to your special place outside the home? Ladies, our home is our sanctuary. Find that place in your home that can give you that same kind of lift! It may be a corner of a room with a chair and light next to it. Make it your corner. Add your favorite reading materials, your bible and maybe get a candle to place there when you are sitting there. The man’s spot may be in front of the fireplace, out fishing, or in his work shop. For me? I have my office. I love it there and it is the first place I set when we have moved. Why? Because I know I need that in my life. It’s my creative space. In my office, I have a little fountain that I run that also helps me feel close to the water. I love the sound. I have candles to light up my life. I have music that makes my heart sing. Key word: do SOMETHING!
God wants some time with you, when you aren’t distracted. When you can hear His voice, and it is quiet enough in your spirit to be refreshed. Let’s go to that place! Know where it is! Let’s get refreshed! Let’s ask God to help us arrange it. Let’s ask Him to speak specifically in that place of renewal. I’m ready! My car is packed. My camera is in the back seat! I want to hear what He will give me next! How about you? Let’s go!
God bless you as you find the “sweet spot” where you can be refreshed with Him. Walking the journey with you….
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