The Hope Chest

                                    





 

 

 

The Hope Chest

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

The hope chest that once stood empty was now lovingly packed full of memories, dreams, and hope for the future. For years all types of “favorite things” had been collected and placed in the chest in expectation for when hope became reality. Each item had been lovingly folded for that special day when the “hopeful” items could be retrieved and put into use.

In one corner so many memories had gathered throughout the years. There were the love notes scribbled and barely legible with “do you like me? yes or no” along with yearbooks, the first Barbie, dried flowers from that special occasion, many cards and letters that held countless memories along with hundreds of photographs representing years of special moments. As I picked up the pictures I was quickly taken back in time to relive the events that were bringing on so many nostalgic feelings.

Adjacent to the stack of memories were the folded hopeful items lovingly placed in waiting for the future. There was the quilt that Grandmother made along with vintage clothes that were now heirlooms from generations past. The teacup and saucer lovingly wrapped to preserve its appearance and future use was stacked next to the oblong package that was a mystery to me.

As the layers of tightly bound cloth were removed the valuable item was revealed, The Family Bible. The births and deaths had been entered with a shaky hand. As the pages were turned toward the Inspired Words I saw that verse after verse had been underlined with an arrow pointing toward a small note lovingly written in the margins where interpretations and personal experiences were documented.

This Priceless Book holds so much hope within its pages. Can you imagine how enriched our lives would be if we visited this Hope daily with an eagerness to use each “item” stored there? Our Lord placed His Words throughout the pages to help us set up our home and family. Tucked within its pages are promises along with examples to live by. Experiences have been documented to guide us through similar circumstances that we all find ourselves facing from time to time.

This “Hope Chest” will do us no good if it stays packed away in some corner of our room. We need to lift the cover and go for a treasure hunt of all the many hidden goodies that have been placed there so lovingly to enrich our daily lives. Let us take out His Word daily and rejoice in the hope that He has given to us all.

Romans 15:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.