Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life.
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Fifty.
Thirty-seven.
Two more.
Another one!
A total of 90.
My parents’ nativity was displayed on the built-in buffet at the end of the dining room every December until they moved. Made in Italy, they purchased it early in their marriage. I have fond memories of it. I now own it.
It’s okay to like and appreciate things. It’s dangerous and unhealthy to place security in our things.
In 1994, I was privileged to take my first trip overseas. In Manila, I spoke at a large convention for Christian school teachers and then to teachers at a boarding school for missionary children.
On a day off, the group of us from the States went shopping with our hosts. I chose to purchase two things to remember my experience by, never dreaming I’d be beginning large collections.
I saw a colorful nativity and knew instantly I wanted it. It would be my second one. Maybe I’ll take the time to tell the story of my first in another post. I also purchased a carved eagle. I’ll write about that collection later, too.
I’ve spent lots of time the past two weeks dusting and cleaning in my home. Because of my schedule and priorities, and because I live alone, clutter typically doesn’t bother me. But, this time I’ve enjoyed cleaning. I like my home more now and I intend to keep it organized.
Because of inheriting a beautiful piece of furniture from my mom, I have much more space for my beautiful things. I moved one piece of furniture from my living room to my den, unpacked some things stored in boxes, dusted others displayed on a different shelving unit, and enjoyed finding spaces for everything.
I knew I had 37 nativities displayed in my office, but didn’t realize I had 53 at home. I thought I had 50, but I found three more as I unpacked. You might not want 52 nativities displayed year-round in your home, but I do. The one I inherited from my parents I’ll display only during December.
I like my nativities. I own some really unique ones crafted by talented people in 70 or so different countries. I would enjoy showing them to you.
But, my security is not in my nativities or anything else I own. No. My security (and identity, belonging, purpose, and competence) is appropriately placed in Jesus Christ in the nativity – my Savior and Lord. I collect them to honor Him and His position in my life.
Do you know people who have placed their security in what they own? Things become controlling and limiting. Because things can’t be trusted, the people begin to doubt. Their true insecurity will rule. It’s sad.
I hope you haven’t placed your security in things. What about your children? Make sure they’re not trusting in their technology or other things they own.
Security is best placed in people who are trustworthy and not things that aren’t. Although not everyone is worthy of our trust, there are plenty of people who are. Keep looking. Forgive. Try again.
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MORE: The nativity featured at the top of this post is the beautiful one from Italy that belonged to my parents. Last December I also wrote another post about my nativity collection I hope you will find informative.
[...] Monday, I wrote about the need to put our security (our first core need) in people who are trustworthy rather than in things we own. This can be challenging because we have to be able to figure out who [...]