This is my hope chest–say hello:
You cannot really tell, but my hope chest is about medium sized. It's is a cedar tree. (And I had the lid open earlier, so it's slightly open here.) I will have to post the story of how I received my hope chest and why this "box" is extra special.
2300 miles before…
I recently moved from central Texas to the Northwest. Space was limited on our 26 ft. U-Haul, as my dad had a LOT of equipment and tools to bring. I ended up bringing two boxes plus my hope chest. Thankfully, (I count this as a blessing), I had not been faithful to adding to my hope chest, so I had quite a bit of storage space for the move.
But 2300 miles later…
I opened my hope chest, took out the items that did not belong in it, and noticed how EMPTY it was! How sad, I thought. And pathetic. Of course, I have not thought much about marriage at all because first of all, I had always been strong-willed, tough, and “Miss Independent” (you know the type). And secondly, I decided that I would not date/court anyone until I could actually legally marry because I have the idea in my mind that I’ll only date my husband (and now I’m 18–uh oh!). To me, adding pillows, linens, dishware, and the like were preparing forĀ a marriage that I hadn’t even thought about, so I didn’t add them.
This is what I have in my Hope Chest:
–6 Identical Picture Frames
–Two Decor Plates (one from Louisiana, my home state of 12.5 years, and another from a foreign missionary in Taiwan)
–A Louisiana Spoon “Setter-On-Thing” (pictured between the two plates below)
–A Louisiana Souvenir Magnet
–A Red Decor Vase
–Two Texas Handmade Candles (and a cute candle holder)
–2 Picture Containers: 1Box (pictured on right) and 1Metal Album (not seen)
–A “Recipe Holder” (really cute!) & Recipes Inside
–Various Baking Items: Christmas cookie cutters, 3 mixing spoons, 1 curly straw(!)
–Knitting needles & Crochet needle(?)
NOT pictured below:
–Various Baby Clothes & Shoes (I had not set them aside for ME, since I was not thinking about marriage, but for others–I have four sisters!)
–A CUTE Rubber Ducky Pillow/Blanket (I made them in a “Home-Economics-type” class)
–A Silky Rose and Black/White Leopard Print Material (for sewing)
–Two Bathroom Baskets (you know, from the bath and body wash sets you get for Christmas…)
Not all of the items are pictured here, just a few...
No throwing stones!
At least I was honest about my “lack” of items. haha! All of these items either hold sentimental value for me or they actually have a functional use–or both! Like the spoon setter-on-thing. haha š
How Does this Tie into “Whole Living?”
Every time I take out these items from my hope chest, my heart just swells with a sense of accomplishment and hope and joy! Even with my few items, I FEEL like I am doing something GOOD. I FEEL like I am making a better life for my future. Because of the items? No. Because of what can be done with the items: The cookie cutters, (the only thing I bought out of all I have), I bought imagining being able to spend quality time with my future nieces and nephews. (Now, as I am thinking more along the lines of ME getting married and having children, they could work well there, too.) With the plates and the vase and the custom made candles, with the recipes, I can be hospitable to others, having a comfortable home and delicious meals to offer. Does that make sense?
These items represent a WHOLE life, which I am EXCITED to be able to have in Christ.
What are some of the items in YOUR Hope Chest, and how do they give you hope for the future?
Zealous Dedication 