What is in your closet? Do you have things in storage that you intend to use, but can’t seem to find the time to dig them out? Do you acquire items that eat up valuable space in your house or shed?
My dad did. We found clocks in his storage shed after his death—lots of clocks. Dad thought the clocks would be worth something someday, but that has not been the case. Missing parts devalue some antique clocks and the reproductions assess at a low price.
What am I suppose to do with 18 clocks?
There were over 52 to begin with, but after distributing them between siblings, I ended up with 18 of my father’s clocks.
I have no use for so many clocks, nor do I want to store them for my children to stumble upon after my death. So far, I’ve sold some on Craig’s List, given others as gifts to children, and kept two for myself.
Dad’s clock collection sat in storage for over 20 years—not forgotten, just ignored. Other interests and projects required his attention until ill health consumed his life.
Gifts of the heart
This year I’m rummaging through my valuables and giving them as gifts to my children and grandchildren. More will be given in the years ahead.
Yes, my descendants would still end up with them eventually, but why wait until I’m gone? The joy in a granddaughter’s eyes is worth the English tea cup and saucer nestled in the box along with a fresh bag of chocolate mint tea. Do I want to miss the appreciation of a son receiving his grandfather’s pocket watch and chain?
Bottom line—I can’t afford to ignore my stored treasures. They provide no joy as long as they sit on a dark shelf and eat up valuable storage space. Stored treasures are meant to become gifts of the heart.
What’s in your closet?
In Him together, Susan Gaddis
This Post Has 9 Comments
By the way, thanks for the clock. I love it. 🙂
This is great Susan! I’m smiling as I read it. Cleaning out our closets is something we really should do on a regular basis. I appreciate the reminder! There are some things I need to clean out of my closet too!
Good to ponder – makes me think what I can ask my mom for in her closet 🙂 (moving so much at this point in life I don’t have much in mine except baby clothes!)
Ask away, Lori. Your mom will probably appreciate it. I find it helpful when my kids let me know what they would enjoy receiving. That way I don’t have to guess and possibly make a wrong decision.
I totally agree with you about not waiting to share our treasures. It really became even more clear when we had to sell/giveaway basically everything we had when we came on the mission field. Many times, I would rather give something away than sell it for far less than its value at a garage sale. It was so sweet to see the joy on their faces as they opened their little treasure. The things I gave away to the ladies at our home church also has served as a reminder for them to pray for us each time they use that crystal candle holder, or that retro snack set, or one of the many items I had collected after living 30 years in the same house. Sadly, I wished I had given away more of my valuable jewelry after it was stolen from us here in Costa Rica.
Thanks for sharing such an appropriate application, Debbie. It puts my life into a better perspective and leaves me feeling eager to dig up more stuff out of the dark corners of my closets!
Your post made me think about the other types of treasures we store up when we should be giving them away today- words of love and encouragement, compliments, hugs, quality time together, an apt word fitly spoken. Proverbs encourages us to not withhold good from a neighbor when it is in our power to give it. So I guess the Father wants us to regularly clean out our closet of ALL things and give away the gifts He gives us.
Great application, Lora. Thank you for the reminder of what is really important and will go with us into eternity. Most stuff here will eventually cease to be, but kind words, hugs, and quality time spent with others is definately stuff that lasts a lot longer then this life!
My Grandma gives me a tea cup from her collection every Christmas. I love to sip tea in them with my girls or my friends. The thoughtfulness off sharing with your family today instead of tomorrow is gracious and fun for the giver and the receiver!