A Blast From the Past Delivers Encouragement

Awhile back I received a private Facebook message from one of Heidi's friends, Tracy. She wrote to let me know that while her mother was going through her jewelry box, she found Heidi's ID bracelet. For the younger generation, these were the in-thing, back in the day. Heidi spent a lot of time at Tracy's house in her early high school years so it wasn't surprising that her bracelet would be there.

I  remember packing to move in to my own place and finding a notebook and other items from my high school friends. It's amazing as teens how we pack rat, leave, and forget about things. I honestly don't remember the particular items that I found but they weren't something I felt needed to be returned to my high school friends. They weren't that important...or were they? It wasn't jewelry or anything super personal or I would of made sure it made its way back yet in hindsight, if it was important enough to tuck away years prior, doesn't it hold the same value and importance?

I'm thankful Tracy and her Mom thought to contact me and return Heidi's ID bracelet to us. I didn't share the message with my parents in order to surprise them when the package came. I opened it while sitting in the car outside the post office. With a big smile on my face and slow trickles of tears down my cheeks, I thanked God for returning this treasure. I couldn't wait to deliver it to my parents. Their expression of appreciation and thankfulness as they peered in the box, priceless.

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This reminds me of cards, ornaments, and art projects I find when pulling out the holiday boxes. Some of the same trinket and hand made items I might have tossed because "we were just kids" when Heidi made them, are now treasures. Why? It's not that the glitter or sloppy hand writing have changed but the story behind each is more precious and instead of being a memory to laugh about with Heidi, they hold the memory of when Heidi was with us.

This mentality is one reason I am such a pack rat but as I grow and recognize the greatest treasure one can hold is their faith and relationship with Jesus, I'm able to let go of the dry-rotted paper crafts a little easier. I've learned it's possible to take a picture of the item for a tactile remembrance while eliminating clutter and potential bedding for winter guests. There are some items I will probably never get rid of, our daughter will have to be the one to sift through most of it. Her emotional attachment compared to mine is much different. To me, they are priceless but to her, never seeing them before, will be a box of wonder.

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. 
I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.
Isaiah 45:3 NLT

What if we valued and cherished our relationship with Jesus 
like we do the priceless memories hidden away in storage and our attics? 

What if we spent time reflecting all God gave and sacrificed for us, 
would we be so quick to look the other way and go in a different direction? 

What if I held on to my faith like I do memories? 

Think of all God could do with me and with you.

What is one item you've found or that was returned to you that reminded you of a loved one passed? Will you share?