In my room sitting next to my bed is a hope chest. Hope chests are traditionally used for a girl before she is married, to collect things in, for when she has her own home. However, my hope chest is not dishes, or towels, or anything for my home. My hope chest is now a box full of memories I have kept while building my home. I got this idea from my Mom. I remember as a young girl being curious as to what was in it. Some times the curiosity got the best of me, and when she was away at work I would sneak in it. There in that box was all kinds of little things my brother and I had made for her that she considered "keepers", or letters from my Dad when they were dating, or maybe in it was something I didn't recognize, but she would know exactly when and where it came from. So, as a Mom myself now, I have my own memories, right there next to my bed.
Over the years I have saved many things from each of my kids, a lot of my friends, and special things from my family. More then likely, I have things that would suprise people. A little lady bug I got at a gift shop 6 years ago when I went to the coast w/ some of the Armor Bearer girls. A napkin or brochure from a trip I went on. To some, like I mentioned before, it wouldn't mean anything. But, for me, I can tell you time and place, and very likely what I was feeling at the moment. Anyone who has kids knows that you can't save everything. If we did, it would get crazy! All of the pictures they draw you in class or the crafts they make...you wouldn't be able to keep up. Then suddenly they give you something, and you immediately know that it is a "keeper".
I wonder if God has a Memory Box. The times when He looks at us going through life, and maybe we do something or say something and He jots it down and puts it away for us to see someday. Wouldn't it be awesome to see! I think so. What about you? Do you have a hope chest or memory box? I hope so, I think everyone should. Maybe that's the sentimental side of me.
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