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 There
are memories of a past—some to put away and some to move from. Some
memories may not be good, but have lurked in the backgrounds of our
lives like a shadow. Mistakes made, but being a child of God
mistakes that are forgiven. We pause to wonder why we have held on
to them for so long, sometimes evening thinking they had been
forgotten, but for this brief time they return., By the light of
God’s wonderful grace the hurts of the past can be banished if we
let them!
Then there are memories to cherish and hold dear ---remembering
happy times and loved ones gone before. Sometimes we pause for a few
tears as we feel the familiar tug on our heartstrings as we go
through pictures and cards from years ago. How thankful for the good
times God had given us; for His Love and for the many blessings we
have all received—loving family members, wonderful friends and
experiences that make us, I hope, better human beings.
The present things come next--- useful items, things for living
today. Fewer now, items that will serve us well in our new home.
Practical household items, current photographs in their frames ready
to be hung, useful items for living in our new home. Looking at each
item as I took it out of the box, deciding whether to keep or give
away I needed to be purposeful in my efforts to simplify. I became
convicted of the sin of acquisition and remembered that in Matthew
6:21 we are told “for where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also.”
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Taking inventory is remembering and celebrating the fact that I
already have the best when I have Jesus Christ in my life;
celebrating the new freedom by moving from the “stuff” of this
worldly life to the “One who gives Life.” If you haven’t taken
inventory recently I encourage it. For me, I found a new freedom and
sense of peace in unburdening myself not only of the “things” but of
the excess “emotional baggage” I uncovered. God is good! He uses the
everyday experiences of our lives to constantly teach us and to
remind us that He is a good and loving Father.
I am finally reminded of the saying by an unknown, but wise person:
“Lord, I am willing
To receive what You give;
To lack what You withhold;
To relinquish what You take;
To suffer what You inflict;
To be what You require.”
[By Pastor Dayle Badman
Elkhart and Beason United Methodist Churches ]
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