But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
One day, they arrived, unannounced in the mail. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t like receiving good things in the mail. Now, to be honest, good things don’t include everything. Tax bills are definitely not on the good list. But when I was a kid, we signed up to receive the “Weekly Reader.” One day a week, during the summer, we would get this short newsletter with all kinds of cool kid’s stuff in it. It was the highlight of my early years in the summer. Even now, when I order something from out there in internet hyperspace, I await its arrival with great anticipation. Of course, often, that is not via the mail but UPS or FedEx.
So, the other day, a small package arrived in the real mail. I was not expecting anything, so I was just a little excited. You would never guess in a hundred years what it was. Are you ready? It was an old pair of boy’s underwear. What? Are you kidding? And, no, I am not kidding. Here are the details. The package was from my oldest sister, Agnes. She had recently moved and was going through stuff and tucked away she found something given to her a long, long time ago. You see, when the Taylor girls turned sixteen, it was a tradition that they receive a “hope chest.” It was a cedar chest to put special things and other things that they might use to setup housekeeping. Well, at least I think that is how it worked. Anyway, Agnes is pretty sure that when she got her hope chest, Momma gave her this underwear. Now hold on…there is something coming.
She told Agnes that this underwear belonged to our Daddy when he was a boy of probably ten years old. I’m not sure how Momma had them or why she kept them…but she did. I can imagine when my then sixteen-year-old sister got this underwear. I can also imagine my Momma saying, “Agnes, these belonged to your Daddy when he was a boy. I know they don’t mean much now but later they will.” Well, Agnes held on to them and what was in the beginning a novelty became a treasure. Now, that underwear that my Daddy wore is right at a hundred years old. Even as I write that I can’t believe it. When she found them, she thought I might want them and that is how they came to be in the mail…an unannounced treasure.
There are so many things in our lives that when we first receive them, they might mean little but then something happens to charge everything. A good morning kiss becomes one of the last. A love note left on the counter saved becomes sacred. A simple card made by your baby girl becomes the highlight of your day when it is rediscovered on the day of her wedding. The memory of a lingering morning hug given years before carries you through a difficult day. Or a century old pair of boy’s underwear reminds you of how God blessed you with wonderful parents. Unexpected treasures.
As we approach this season of Thanksgiving let me encourage you to look around—poke around. You might discover memories and things that magically have turned from ordinary into treasures. And then, take a moment and pause and give thanks. Take a moment and thank your Dearest Daddy in heaven for the treasure and maybe the person who made it possible. Remember the words of Paul when he wrote, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) You see, not all treasure is found in gold plated boxes, sometimes it is found in common places. Sometimes it is found in the quiet whisper from the Whisperer of heaven when He gentle reminds us, “I’ve got this.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 