A Desk that's More than a Desk
My mother died the middle of March. The other week I spent time in my mother's home with my siblings and other close relatives. We discussed who might want what items and when we would take them home as well as other estate matters. Even though some of us were bolder than others, we all exhibited an awkwardness about expressing our desires.
One of our group said that it wasn't necessary to have anything of Mom's since the memories of Mom's life were so vibrant. I understand what he said because I also have strong memories that span many years. For me it is more than remembering Mom fondly. Having some of her possessions highlights how God has chosen to bless me through my family.
Some of the things that I have asked for came from my grandmother's home. As the only surviving offspring my mother placed a few of Grandmother's pieces of furniture throughout her house weaving reminders of her past household with pieces from the present. Mother had put on paper a few facts about a number of items. A small desk that I wanted contained its history. The desk had stood in Grandmom's house at the base of the stairs that led to the bedrooms. When Grandmom was married in 1897 a relative took this desk out of her attic and gave it to the new couple for a wedding present. Mother later discovered that this was most likely made by an undertaker when he wasn't busy building caskets. I am sure it must have been refinished. There is very little evidence of wear.
A desk that was old in 1897 is hard to imagine in this age when so many things that are old are not held in high esteem. Too often we settle for what is not made with care and all too soon those items may reappear at a yard sale or in a pile waiting for pickup by the local charity. We may yearn for continuity, quality, and stability in our ever changing world but those goals always seem slightly out of our grasp. At first this desk seems to be a remarkable symbol for all these things. This is a desk that is over a hundred years old. For most of this time it has been in the same family, passed from one generation to the next and now to me the third generation.
As much as I love this desk it is only a shadow of the stability God offers to us through Christ. No matter whether our furniture comes from high end stores, or beloved family members it can all be seriously hurt by family moves, a scratching cat, or many other things that can destroy the illusion of stability and continuity. Only kingdom values secured by Christ can offer us the peace that can not be shaken. Like myself I'm sure my mother treasured the little desk but the treasures of this world are nothing compared to the glory of Heaven. We need to be good stewards of what God has graced us with now holding it all with an open hand as we look towards the the giver of all good gifts.
One of our group said that it wasn't necessary to have anything of Mom's since the memories of Mom's life were so vibrant. I understand what he said because I also have strong memories that span many years. For me it is more than remembering Mom fondly. Having some of her possessions highlights how God has chosen to bless me through my family.
Some of the things that I have asked for came from my grandmother's home. As the only surviving offspring my mother placed a few of Grandmother's pieces of furniture throughout her house weaving reminders of her past household with pieces from the present. Mother had put on paper a few facts about a number of items. A small desk that I wanted contained its history. The desk had stood in Grandmom's house at the base of the stairs that led to the bedrooms. When Grandmom was married in 1897 a relative took this desk out of her attic and gave it to the new couple for a wedding present. Mother later discovered that this was most likely made by an undertaker when he wasn't busy building caskets. I am sure it must have been refinished. There is very little evidence of wear.
A desk that was old in 1897 is hard to imagine in this age when so many things that are old are not held in high esteem. Too often we settle for what is not made with care and all too soon those items may reappear at a yard sale or in a pile waiting for pickup by the local charity. We may yearn for continuity, quality, and stability in our ever changing world but those goals always seem slightly out of our grasp. At first this desk seems to be a remarkable symbol for all these things. This is a desk that is over a hundred years old. For most of this time it has been in the same family, passed from one generation to the next and now to me the third generation.
As much as I love this desk it is only a shadow of the stability God offers to us through Christ. No matter whether our furniture comes from high end stores, or beloved family members it can all be seriously hurt by family moves, a scratching cat, or many other things that can destroy the illusion of stability and continuity. Only kingdom values secured by Christ can offer us the peace that can not be shaken. Like myself I'm sure my mother treasured the little desk but the treasures of this world are nothing compared to the glory of Heaven. We need to be good stewards of what God has graced us with now holding it all with an open hand as we look towards the the giver of all good gifts.
Thank you, Joanie, for sharing these reminders of Christ and the surety we have in Him. And I love the desk you speak of, it is beautiful cabinetry. It was lovely to visit with you.
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