my little treasure box

I like to think of myself as someone who does not hold many things that are of sentimental value. I've learned the hard way to have as close to nothing as something precious because ultimately they compete with God and it may take him ripping it off your hands to save you from yourself.

But i have this box, this thin box where I save some of the things that are precious to me, and if i lose everything else i wish never to lose those. Therein lies cards, letters, pictures and encouragements, a few souvenirs from over the years that i love going back to and taking a peek.

I've been trying to do my lab all day without much progress so as my mind wondered, i took a look at the box again to read those letters and was reminded how powerful our words can be and how powerless we can be to keep our words. Not because we don't want to but because there are greater more powerful 'things' that we unwillingly have to submit to. 

Kind of makes me think about the words of God that transcends time and space and is ever true. His words are not just for the present or the past, they are true for whatever future unfolds for us, and those that will come after us. His words are timeless, it does not attentuate with time or season or age. In the best of times, in the worst of times they are still potent. Human words can also be powerful, they give hope, they strengthen, sometimes they make us cry and break us to helplessness. 

I believe in God, there's a hope, {and i'll talk about hope some other time} but there's a hope and a confidence that cannot be shaken, at least not for too long, in the end i always come back to the basics. God is love, He is pure good, there is no evil in him even though sometimes he may allow evil and if it seems like he is far away, its for my good, its for your good, it is the time you cling even more to him, like a drowning man at sea clings to a piece of plank, just like the say Jacob clung to the angel in desperation. Knowing that there is no hope, no future outside of him. Everything out there is just bleak, mundane and sorrowful.

Yet we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose. And the b-e-a-uty of this statement is that He has called you, he said you did not choose me but i chose you. If that doesn't bring hope and confidence then something is really wrong. But yeah all things work together for our good and going through those letters i saw one my mom sent. 

I've not seen my mom in 4 years now, and i thought i'll be going back this year end to see all my siblings and my parents but thats not going to happen this year. I miss her, she's been such a great encouragement in my life, and part of the reason i don't have a very destructive lifestyle, i used to be different from what people know me now.  

I read her letter and it was something she sent oh i don't know some 2 - 3 years back and it was full of encouragement, i could almost feel her talking to me and i hope as a parent i will have this ability also, to speak something to my children or child that is just like a prophecy because thats what it was like. Even though she wrote it years back it still gives me strength and she talks still about my major struggles and gave me some scripture to memorize part of which i want to share.

From Philippians 4, finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Father, bless my mom with good health, long life, prosperity... Keep her safe as you always have and protect her soul from destruction. Let her see her grandchildren and give her the joy of seeing her children live for you all their lives. And also save my daddy, there's nothing you cannot do. I trust you.

~shalom~