Heart Reflections Live

Anyone who knows me personally, or has been reading this blog for any length of time, will know I'm definately an old-fashioned girl at heart. Old days and old ways appeal to me, not just for asthetic reasons, but for the lessons time reveals through long treasured objects, and the family stories of faith, love and sacrifice that often accompany them.

So what is a "Living" Heirloom? By my own definition, a living heirloom is a useful one- an object that was loved, admired and used and is still loved, admired and well used.

In days gone by, most homes were furnished with living heirlooms. Many homes were furnished far more sparsely than many today, and the objects therein were useful and greatly treasured. How different from today's throw-away society, with people chasing after the latest this 'n' that...Heritage is thrown to the wind...

Milestone gifts were also greatly treasured- the baby cup, the glory box (or Hope Chest -U.S readers), the 21st birthday gifts and engagement and wedding presents, which almost always included the Family Bible, used for family devotions and also to record births, deaths and marriages- important information to pass down the family line.

My mother now possesses the family bible given to her parents upon their marriage. My Grandfather faithfully read a chapter and prayed and wrote in his diary most nights. The underlined verses are a testament to his faith. Births, deaths and marriages were faithfully recorded and still are- when the sad news reaches of the passing of another Great Aunt or Uncle from that side of the family.

We have recently acquired our own family bible- of course we've always had our own personal well-worn copies- but now we have a special one for recording family events for our descendants. I also hope to use it for family times around the Word. It's white with gold embossing on the cover( KJV of course!), contains excellent cross-references and paintings by some of the great masters of art. It also has extra reference info in the back. This we hope will be a future living heirloom...

So what other items could be classified as living heirlooms? Picture a home from times past... near the Family Bible sits the sewing box- a piece of beauty, not just used daily for sewing and mending, but greatly admired, not simply of itself, but for the love of the owner whose hard-working hands produced each stitch, often by candle or lamplight...

In the corner stands the Glory Box or Hope Chest, still full of baby clothes till the end of the child bearing years. It came into the marriage with the Bride herself, full of the beautiful hand-worked linens, prepared for her new home and new life...

I must digress a minute to tell of my Maternal Grandmother's Glory Box... It was walnut brown, with a soft floral cushioned seat upon it. After the last baby, it became the keeping place for the family photographs, certificates and other important documents.When their farmhouse dwelling caught fire in the late 1950's, the glory box was the first thing grabbed and carried to safety (after the people were safe that is!). It moved twice more with my Grandparents and was one of the few things taken with them when they moved in with my Greatgrandparents to become their carers. The box, still full of photos and documents, became my seat at their dinner table, when I stayed with them on holidays as a teen. How I loved going through the photos with them on my vacations there! Those same photos are now mine and a precious legacy to share with our children. And the glory box? Well... the glory box that kept the family treasures so practically was , very practically sold to an antique dealer, in accordance with my grandmother's wishes to help keep her in her old-age as she moved into a hostel for the final chapter of a life well lived... That book is now closed, but I still remember her glory box when I look at mine ( very different in appearance, but the same in purpose) given to me by my Dad on my 19th birthday. It's still in the baby clothes phase. When our daughters are older(maybe between 12 and 16) we hope to give them glory boxes as a tangible symbol of waiting on the Lord for His best as we teach them Courtship (Our childen will not "date"!). A scripture comes to mind as I gaze at my glory box, Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" Psalm 90:12.

In our home, a clock, a sewing box, an antique tablecloth and lace runners, a hand-held mirror, bone handled knife sharpener and various other items are all living heirlooms that are loved and used. As my hands touch them I am constantly reminded of lives well lived, the faith of the former owners, and the constant ticking of time that compels me to number my days, live for the Lord, and to live in the moment no matter what I am doing.Time and life are precious. I don't want to waste a moment wallowing in self pity or fear of the future. God holds our future in His hands...

This is the way, walk ye in it...

Labels: Christian Heritage, Faith, family history, family life