Devotionals

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Proverbs 4:23

Last Friday I was scraping the wax out of a white, heart-shaped box with a decorative lid. On the lid was stenciled a green square containing a red heart. Needing a container for a candle while I was hosting a gathering, I put the candle in the box and it melted down and spread into the box. Giving up hope that I could salvage the inside, I continued to melt candle upon candle in it until it was a mess of metal and wax. It was the box that I used to carry my tiny decorative treasures when I moved and now to my work space where they are displayed. I left the box at work, but was embarrased that someone would look inside and see the mess. Then I got the idea that I could chip the wax out with a blade. Because it was taking so long, I thought "What's the use, it really is not going to be like before, the felt lining on the bottom is for sure ruined forever." But I continued carving chunks out until it looked mightly close to it's original state.

Inside of it was my little collection of treasues - just little things that have attracted me because they were beautiful, facinating, symbolic, or attached to a memory. There is a pure red glass heart; a natural polka-dot rock; a smooth, oval-shaped piece of Malachite; a Henry Moore-esque piece of white coral; a little knight dressed in armor; a vertigreyed leaf; some metal stones with the words "inspire", "joyful occasions", and "trust".

I began to think of all the wax that builds up in people's heart - that keeps their treasures from fitting in there - taking up room so the good, beautiful, and delightful can not fit in. I think of my collection that others might think eclectic. But now I've done the work (of repentence) to fit them into my heart.

I am also reminded of the game my mom plays with my two-year old niece. When she comes over, she leads the toddler to the old school supply box. My niece opens it up to find tiny toys and candy and other boxes to open. Mom enjoys watching my niece's eyes widen and hear her squeal with delightful discovery

But now my treasures are outside of the box. Some might even wonder about my collection that is exposed to the light.

But from time to time, when my space gets dusty, I can put them in the box while I dust my space. After the dust storm blows over, I can take them out one by one and wipe them clean. Then they are put on display again, sometimes in a new place.

Prayer:
Lord, I ask that you reveal what inside of our hearts is priceless and what is worthless; especially reveal those things inside that we think are from you but are not. Remove from our heart the junk and dust of sin and bondage. Polish and display the precious. - in Jesus Name.

H. Stone © 2005

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