"Collective Reasoning..."



Pretty Colonial Doll from my husband.  Tea Time from
my sister.

 Psalm 119:36-37: "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way."






A Few of My "Favorite Things"

(Click on pictures to enlarge...then hit the back arrow to return to blog)

Japanese Cherry China from husband's Grandmother Martin

My "Margie Doll", given to me by my Aunt Margie for my
7th birthday, and "Valerie", given to me by my Dad for
Christmas several years ago.

I have inherited a fondness for going "shopping" at interesting looking antique shops and other stores full of old "treasures"...you know, stuff like old books, dishes, furniture, kitchen utensils from bygone days, etc., etc., etc.! I come from a family of "collectors", collecting anything from old trains, dolls, postcards, toys, and certain kinds of glassware to just plain "junque" (classy junk) that someone else may be collecting and willing to pay a price for. So I come by this tendency honestly. My personal preference is old fashioned books, preferably novels and historical fiction from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Anything later than that is subject to keen evaluation for suitability for my "old-fashioned" values. I also love dolls, teapots and tea-cups, both antique and new if interesting and unique enough.



"A Child's Tea Party"...special dolls from special friends
The love of dolls and  pretty things from my mother.



When we lived in New England the opportunities for searching through such treasure-troves were endless. Almost every small village and town had several antique shops and other such collectible markets to lure the tourists as well as the newly arrived local people. I've also noticed that central Florida, where I currently live, has it's fair share of such places as well. The problem is certainly not in having a place to investigate, but finding the time to spend on such a pleasure trip, and then having the spending money available with which to purchase something when I've found it! I have set for myself strict limitations on the price I will spend on any of my favorite passions, and with our limited budget it is not often that I can indulge. Sometimes the opportunity to spend an afternoon leisurely shopping with a friend or "sister" comes along but usually the funds are not available at the same time. Perhaps that is a blessing in disguise.

It seems as though lately either I am maturing in my pursuit of "worthless things", or my taste is just changing. Maybe the Lord is helping me to realize the true value of spending my time and energy on developing a closer relationship with Him and with His people rather than on living in my collections of the past. Not that there is anything really wrong with having such a hobby or collecting things one enjoys...unless those things begin to interfere with one's relationships...either time-wise or monetarily. I have been shopping with some people who were true collectors...and have even felt a bit covetous of the amount of money they were able to spend on something they just had to have to complete their collection. To them the "having" was worth almost any price! Little by little the Lord has opened my eyes to the worthlessness of such a pursuit. It seems as though the more one has, the more one wants! There is no end to the "collection"! And yet, what are all these things with which we fill our houses and barns when we are facing eternity? On the day we leave this world, whose will they be? Something for the remaining relatives to squabble over or set upon the auctioneer's block for sale!

Teapot with a bird on top, from my sister Doris.
Calumet Baking Powder vintage cookbook
Teacup and cookies...you must see this one!

Please don't misunderstand me. I still enjoy the reminders from the past that have been passed down from generation to generation and will pass them on to my children when the time comes. But more importantly, I want to pass down to my children a testimony of faithfulness to the Lord, a memory of a mother who truly loved the Lord and His people, and didn't just spend all of her time and money on "worthless things" that have to be dusted and protected from sticky little fingers.

Lord, thank you for this lesson today. It appears as though the older we get, the more attached we become to the things of the past. We're afraid to let go of them for fear we'll lose a part of our identity. Help me to be always identified with You, my Lord and Savior. Revive me in Your way, and help me to leave behind a heritage of faithfulness and a testimony of a mature relationship with You and Your people. And forgive me when I am tempted to covet what another has. I know that I have all I need in You. Amen.




The Hoosier Cupboard
from husband's grandmother Nanny Martin ~ Teapots and Teacups from
Friends and Loved Ones



"Baby Elva Cynthia", a precious gift from a precious friend.



By the way, everything pictured above were either gifts to me or items I have received through inheritance from family members.  As I scanned the pictures I realized that I had not purchased any of those items...and each item is very special because of the fact that they were gifts from dear friends and loved ones and all have significant sentimental value attached.  Nevertheless, when the day comes that God calls me home, I cannot take these precious gifts with me...but I will inherit eternal life...and as an extra bonus I will once again enjoy the company of those who have left these things behind for me to enjoy in the meantime! That's one of those "lasting treasures" that moth and dust cannot destroy!!! Hallelujah!! (See Matthew 6:19)

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

(Matthew 6:19-21)