There's a Christmas wreath hanging behind the door in my office at the church. I bought it last year from a certain youth group member, as part of trying to support him with his boy scout project. It makes me feel cheery and happy to look at it. Though once upon a time it was a lush green, full of fresh pine needles and a christmas bow, its color has now turned to complete brown - blending in so much with the door that sometimes its easy to forget its there. Some of the people in my life have suggested taking it down, or flat out getting rid of it. I understand their point - in the desire to move on, and make way for the future. We all need to do that now-and-then. I have continued to hold on to it despite those people however. After all, it still smells nice, and makes my office smell like Christmas (something I treasure), and I've discovered that the color brown has its own beauty when one stops to take the proper time to notice. There's something else that the wreath gives me too though.
It helps me remember that in a world of constant change and "newness" where everything has to be upgraded and updated just as I get used to things being a certain way (I'm looking at you, iTunes), that some things, just because they get old and change color, does not make them any less valuable or meaningful.
This sadly can sometimes happen in personal relationships too - with friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, families, and marriages. We can move from thing-to-thing, event-to-event, and sometimes begin to treat people the same - moving from person-to-person, as soon as they become old, worn out, or faded, or simply begin to look a different shade than when we'd first let them into our lives.
It's important for me to remember though, that people are people, and need to be reminded and treated as such. That though our leaves might become brown and faded, we don't become any less valuable or meaningful. Our value is still intact, and our worth is there, too. (This is the promise of God.)
Do you have anyone in your life who might need to be reminded of that, these days? I know there are folks in mine.
You belong here,
Ben J
Scripture(s):
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”- Matthew 13:45-46
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 8:38-39
“Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”- Romans 12:13
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand,“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me...Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'”-Matthew 25:34-36, 40
Upcoming:
Pig Roast – October 5th (afternoon event)
Corn/Flashlight Maze – October 12th
Capture The Flag/Food Swap – October 19th
Haunted Hayride – October 26th
Music
Jeremy Larson – Salvation Club (the entire album)
Sleeping At Last – Emphasis
Brian Milligram – Return To Sender
It helps me remember that in a world of constant change and "newness" where everything has to be upgraded and updated just as I get used to things being a certain way (I'm looking at you, iTunes), that some things, just because they get old and change color, does not make them any less valuable or meaningful.
This sadly can sometimes happen in personal relationships too - with friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, families, and marriages. We can move from thing-to-thing, event-to-event, and sometimes begin to treat people the same - moving from person-to-person, as soon as they become old, worn out, or faded, or simply begin to look a different shade than when we'd first let them into our lives.
It's important for me to remember though, that people are people, and need to be reminded and treated as such. That though our leaves might become brown and faded, we don't become any less valuable or meaningful. Our value is still intact, and our worth is there, too. (This is the promise of God.)
Do you have anyone in your life who might need to be reminded of that, these days? I know there are folks in mine.
You belong here,
Ben J
Scripture(s):
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”- Matthew 13:45-46
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”- Romans 8:38-39
“Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”- Romans 12:13
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand,“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me...Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'”-Matthew 25:34-36, 40
Upcoming:
Pig Roast – October 5th (afternoon event)
Corn/Flashlight Maze – October 12th
Capture The Flag/Food Swap – October 19th
Haunted Hayride – October 26th
Music
Jeremy Larson – Salvation Club (the entire album)
Sleeping At Last – Emphasis
Brian Milligram – Return To Sender