Recently, my husband and I
moved to a new location after 28 years at our second country home. In the process of sorting, packing,
discarding and recycling, I found all kinds of forgotten treasures.
Some of them went back to my childhood days when
pictures of my school classmates stared at me from an old cigar box. I had to smile when I ran across a picture of
my third grade teacher who was my inspiration for becoming a teacher. More
pictures of friends as well as family were uncovered. In fact, discovering all these forgotten
pictures detained me from my packing chores. J
As I sorted through another box of keepsakes, other
items of interest caught my attention.
Letters from the past lay dormant in a snuggly-fit stack: one from my brother when he was serving in
Vietnam; another from my husband when we were dating; one from my dad (and the
only one) when I was in college. More remembrances emerged from that box, such
as unique birthday cards, both boughten and homemade, cards/notes from family
and friends who have passed away, and of course, those carefully prepared cards
that only my children could have created. Tears crept into my eyes as memories
overwhelmed me. And then, just when I
thought I was ready to move on with more discarding and packing, what should I
stumble upon but yearbooks.
Yearbooks halted my progress once again. In my school days, yearbooks or annuals were
only distributed in high school, unlike today when every level of education
receives yearly ones. Of course, flipping
through those four years of my high school era brought chuckles and fond
flashbacks as I read the various comments my classmates had written. I must confess, however, that some of the
adventures that were penned had faded from my memory…hmm?? J
By experiencing this packing process and by
re-discovering forgotten items, I caught a glimpse of my past…my life’s
history, sort to speak. This awareness made me realize the importance of life
and how quickly it passes. But I also came up with another realization. There’s
another life importance to me and it lies in my spiritual walk with God. Just as hidden treasures exist in boxes of
belongings so do treasures lie within God’s Word, His written communication to
each and every one of us.
In my hurried life I sometimes forget I have His
source to guide, to instruct, to encourage, and to comfort me. In fact, one
such jewel spoke to me as my husband and I were deciding our next step after
selling our farm land. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should
go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm
32:8. And guide us, He did.
Another verse hiding in one of the books of the Minor
Prophets captured my attention. “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my
feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” Habakkuk 3:19.
Even when I am weak and ready to stop the packing and unpacking process,
not only in moving but in life’s daily struggles, God will provide me with
strength and energy to endure and to finish.
Finally, the priceless gem that drew me even closer to
my Heavenly Father was found in the words from Psalm 36:7, “How precious is Your
lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the
children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” I am protected by a Father who loves me and
whom I can trust. I consider that a HUGE treasure to hold onto and well worth
searching for!
“Your word is a lamp to
my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm
119:105
