In recent travels we visited with friends who are collectors. Their house is stuffed with sets of glassware, dishes, dolls, books, etc. We stayed in the “red room”. You guessed it – everything in the crowded room was red, right down to the vanity seat. Even the bathroom featured a special collection of red Christmas items! To me it was sensory overload. I could have spent days looking at everything in their home. But that got me to thinking about my own personal collecting…
Our early spring weather brought our daffodils out too soon. Yes, they brought cheer following a grey and dismal winter but they were in danger of freezing a few nights ago. A predicted dip into the teens overnight would surely ruin them. R and I took a flashlight out so I could snip off the yellow blooms and bring them indoors to enjoy. Who could deny that I’m a plant collector? I’ve so many houseplants that I post little notes advising which ones need fertilized when. Before house guests arrive I have to move plants out of their temporary sleeping quarters!
R and I love books. When we travel we take opportunities to stop at any used bookstores we pass along the way. I feel sorry for our children who will have to sort through them all when we are gone. I won’t even mention the photographs stuffed in boxes and albums!
We are a nation of collectors. We Americans are fascinated by our own history. Museums and historical monuments continually host a stream of interested tourists. These same tourists take home remembrances of their vacation, putting them out where they can be seen. Their visitors can enjoy these souvenirs and ask about their recent trip.
I have an idea that God isn’t much impressed with all of our collecting. What kind of keepsakes would God like us to collect? Every Sunday we have opportunity to gather around a table set with keepsakes of Jesus. His Body and Blood are represented there in the bread and the fruit of the vine. Jesus even said it was to remember Him in Luke 22:19:
And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
How can we forget this most important collector’s item? These are the emblems of our LORD and Savior. Paul knew how much this meant to Jesus when he wrote to the Corinthians at 11:24-26:
…and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
Let’s gather around this Holy Collection every Sunday to honor and proclaim Christ as He wanted us to do!
Love as always, Elaine (dressing in my Sunday best)
