Day 23 - Treasure or Junk?

Recently, while dusting trinkets on a shelf, I was reminded of a short city break I had in Amsterdam several years ago, where I stayed on a houseboat on the canal in the centre of the city, with a small group of friends. While taking a stroll around the area late one afternoon with another member of the group we came across a large antique shop. The shop was crammed full of trinkets and items of interest from the past and as we wandered up and down the aisles I was in my element. I couldn’t resist purchasing something while there.

As I hold the item now I am reminded of what happened as we went to leave the shop. I paid for my purchase and was guided by the owner to the exit, going through a door and finding myself back on the pavement outside. I looked around for my friend, who I thought was following me, only to find she was nowhere to be seen and the door to the shop had been locked. As I stood outside, one by one the lights in the shop began to go out and suddenly the shop was in darkness….and still no sign of my friend! She had been locked in and appeared at the window a few minutes later seeking help to get out! After a panic and with the help of a nearby shop owner my friend was freed and was back with me on the pavement outside. In relief we danced and sang in the street, and we have recalled that shopping trip many times over the years and laughed at the experience.

At this stage I am guessing that you want to know what I bought! As I wandered up and down the narrow aisles my eyes were drawn to a box. Moving an item out of the way I saw a small metal pink tortoise sat in the corner of the box, which was a pin cushion with a wobbly head and tail, and pink twinkly eyes. Not much monetary value but there was something about it that made me pick it up and I decided to purchase it. Possibly the reason was because it reminded me of my childhood fascination with the gentle, slow, methodical creature, that could stretch its neck right out or tuck it away so it couldn’t be seen.

Often it isn’t the expensive things that bring the most pleasure, but the small things that seem to hold more meaning, more impact. But often we surround ourselves with a mass of material things which can get in the way of living life and what is important.

Coincidently I am currently reading a novel ‘Everything is beautiful’ by Eleanor Ray, about a woman who surrounds herself with trinkets and has slipped into being a hoarder of broken and repaired goods that are basically worthless in monetary terms.

It has made me reflect and reminds me of the verses in the gospel of Matthew:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”.

Matthew 6:19-20a

So, what has this to do with Lent? During Lent many Christians give something up. But have you ever thought of using this time to help others by making time this Lent to have a clear out and ‘declutter’. By giving up some of our material things others can benefit. Recycling our trinkets by giving them to charity for re-sale is a way of turning our need for material things into something positive, where others can see the benefit from them.

Take the time to reflect and remind yourself from time to time that we cannot take these earthly things with us, nor will we have any need for them when we join God in heaven.

Dear Lord

We often hang our happiness on trinkets and material goods,

But these things can never bring us true happiness.

Lord, help us to see what is truly important in life,

and teach us that true happiness can only be gained through you.

Help us to always turn to you first,

In prayer, in repentance, in our actions and our thoughts.

Help us to value what is really important,

And to shed the material things that cannot help us find our way to heaven.

Thank you Lord. Amen.

Kathy Shaw