Having Reminders

Homeschooling has been just as much of an education for me as it has been for my children.  In fact, I may have learned more than them!  It wasn't until homeschooling that I began learning about learning styles, alternative teaching methods, etc.

I gave my children right brain/left brain tests.  I took them myself.  While my children were all over the spectrum, I was surprised at the fact that I am predominantly right brained.  I just assumed I was more left brain.  But after reading the traits of right brain learner, I realized that, though I adapted, I learned through various methods.  I'm very visual.  I want to see it.  If I'm reading fiction, I'm picturing it all in my head like a movie as I read.

My home is set up visually.  While not always organized or neat, I have reminders everywhere.  I have pictures all over.  I have "clutter"; nic-nacs and such.  Some were given to me.  Some I bought long ago.

Some of my long ago reminders are Precious Moments figurines.  In my early twenties I collected them.  Then, in my late twenties, I went through a very dark time in my life.  I gave nearly all of my figurines away since they reminded me of that dark time.  Seeing them would bring up very negative feelings.  I kept a few that were presents from my children or friends, or were slightly damaged.

Fourteen years have passed since that dark time.  I am now amazed at how God has changed my life and healed those old wounds.  I am struck by the significance of those old Precious Moments, bought before I knew Christ, because I thought they were "cute".  Now, as a sold-out Christian, the fact that Sam Butcher, the creator of Precious Moments, created a very blatant Christian series of figurines is not lost on me.  These little figures I stuck on shelves, are very tangible reminders that God loved me before I knew him, and he loves me now.

Old wounds change and heal.  I was teaching my girls about Jacob and his dream of the stairway to heaven the other day.  The image came to me of the plate, bought years ago, depicting that very image. I jumped up and pulled it out of the back of the china cabinet.  I had kept it, because it was chipped, despite the fact that it was bought by a person that deeply wounded me at the time.

But I didn't feel the old pain.  Instead, as a Bible-believing Christian, the story of Jacob has meaning.  Now, when I see that plate, I see me showing it to my children as we learn about the Bible together! Ironically, when I received the plate, I didn't even know the story of Jacob.  

In fact, as I look at the few pieces I had kept, they all hold a new significance to me.  They are reminders of my life.  They are reminders of how God has worked in that life, planting seeds way back in the form of collectible figurines, knowing He had a plan.

Last week I was shopping at a resale shop.  I found a couple of those figurines for sale at cheap prices. One of them was dated the year one of my older daughters was born.  On it was such an encouraging saying that I had to buy it for her.  She'll receive it for Christmas.  A tangible reminder for her that she is loved.

Now, I'm not a big fan of collections for the sake of collecting.  Most collections, Precious Moments included, aren't worth much in resale.  They depreciate greatly from the new purchase price.  I think the things we surround ourselves with should have a proper perspective.  Reminders are wonderful, but things are just things.  They break or decay.  Certain things are cherished because of the memories or the sentimental value.  But like my sister and brother-in-law learned last year when their house burned, things are replaceable.  Pictures may be difficult to replace, but lives can't be replaced. They nearly lost their son in that fire.  Their "stuff" wasn't even considered in their rush to save their son and get out of the house.

Keep things around you that inspire you, that remind you of what is important. For me, reminders of my faith and my family that I love are important to me.  I have traveled all over the United States (another lifetime ago).  I have, packed away, reminders of my travels.  But as much as I enjoy travel, it means little compared to my faith in God and the family He blessed me with.