Valued, Trusted Treasure (by Peter A. Black)

Incredulous! The couple couldn’t believe their ears. A large auctioneering company was not interested in their treasures. Now in their seventies and with their children fledged from the family nest, it’s time to downsize. And so they’ve decided to build a smaller place, a home offering continued independence, yet suited to their needs and stage in life.

The new house is nearing completion, so Tony and Sophia* will soon move into their tasteful, more manageable surroundings. Recently they decided between the furnishings they’ll take into the new home – items it will suitably accommodate – and those they will let go. Sophie has a good eye for furnishing and ambience, while Tony, a retired business professional, understands investment and has a keen business mind. Both appreciate quality, heritage and antiquity. They had accumulated quality furniture and beautiful decorative collectibles over the years.

Surprise, surprise! The auctioneer informed them that the current generation wouldn’t buy their well-crafted solid wood furniture; wouldn’t be interested in the gorgeous, mellowed antique sideboard nor the antique Singer treadle sewing machine, not even Sophia’s prized Royal Doulton collection. He gave the same verdict regarding a number of antiques that formerly were expected to increase in desirability over time.

These days, the auctioneer said, young folk want furniture that appeals to them in the now, and then when they tire of it, junk it and completely refurnish their house with brand new. In fact, he was only interested in taking several small items that he thought would sell.



Good ol' stuff (but not Tony & Sophia's)

Disposable. Throw-away. Temporality. Transitory. These qualities rule nowadays. Whether right or wrong, my guess is that the couple (good acquaintances of mine) can well afford to move into their new home and furnish it to suit, anyway, with or without their receiving a good return on their quality ‘stuff.’ I do feel for them, however, in regard to their being rudely awakened to the news that the value they’d placed on their previously cherished acquisitions had seemingly evaporated into the ethereal valuation of a new generation.

Despite the many failings found among Christians and the faith community, there are treasured aspects to value. Have you cast Jesus Christ and His Gospel aside, dismissing the Bible as an old book "full of contradictions"? You find no attraction to attending church, sitting on wooden pews, staring into the back of people’s heads, singing outmoded music, and listening to a ‘talking head’ up front? I sympathize. Why would it be attractive?

But there’s enduring value in taking time out to enter a sacred space and to join others in opening up our beings to God as Heavenly Father, with grateful, appreciative hearts; to lift up our voices together in songs of praise – whether accompanied by organ or piano, or by guitar and keyboard. Instruments and musical styles may differ, but the substance of true worship pertains to the condition of the heart opening its treasures of love in gratitude to God.

I treasure the Christian period of Lent, culminating in the commemoration of Good Friday and the death of Christ on the cross for our redemption, and for the celebration of His resurrection at Easter. I don’t ever want to devalue them nor let them be cast into the abyss of unbelief and a cast-off faith. I’m mindful of this verse (Hebrews 10:35 NIV2011): ". . . do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."

Our faith – valued, trusted and treasured.

~~~

*Pseudonyms to protect privacy.
~~+~~
The above post was adapted from Peter's weekly column, P-Pep! published in The Guide-Advocate, February 26, 2015.

 

Peter's second book is a compilation of inspirational articles from his weekly column—on a variety of themes. These are interspersed with brief expressions intended to encourage.  Ebook edition is now available on Amazon.

 

ISBN: 978-0-9920074-2-3 (Angel Hope Publishing)

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