1 Cor 13:13b “the greatest of these is love”/

I remember when my mother in law had to do a major sorting out.

Ten years previously she went through this process when she became a widow and moved out of her large Florida home to an apartment in Ga. Now she had to move from a 5 room apartment home to a 2 room apt. in an independent living high rise.

I helped her sort through all kinds of things. It is amazing what we accumulate over the years. We went through closets, dressers, medical papers, and kitchen paraphernalia galore. Items were sorted and stacked in piles for distribution among the three adult children. Some items were asked for specifically; others were just placed in the different stacks for distribution. Some of the things had great sentimental value, other had a practical use.

I thought about how we all accumulate “things” and then the time comes for us to give them away. What am I gathering and when and who will I give them to? God tells us to gather things of eternal importance, not temporal things.

My mother in law gave a most important thing to her children, and I hope they realized it. She showed them a faith that did not faltered during the 10 year period. Becoming a widow, moving out of state and to a smaller place, dealing with difficult family situations and enduring physical setbacks had only proven the manner in which God can sustain one who has faith in Him. She was always open and verbalized about how she prayed for her children and grandchildren, and believed God holds them in the palm of His hand.

So, each piece of furniture, each knick-knack and all the other things that went to her children’s homes were wrapped with a layer of faith, hope and love. I hope these children will not tear off that wrapping and discard it. It is the most important gift of all.

She has now gone to the Father’s House, where we will have a wonderful family reunion one day.

Marion Smith noles65@aol.com