“Don’t store up treasures here on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
A couple of weeks ago I had a dream. My late mother-in-law, Jany, was in it. In the dream the family was on vacation in the mountains. (Why not the beach like normal? I guess because Jany loved the mountains and here Kentucky home.) We were laughing and chatting in the kitchen area, when Jany said “Remember, don’t store up your treasures here, store them in heaven.” And then I woke up. I kept trying to go back to sleep to get back to the dream and talk to her some more. Nope. God left me with what I needed to hear at the time.
Then, last week, my father-in-law was giving me a few boxes of family photos and some of Jany’s memorabilia. One Ziploc bag contained a couple of Jany-staple-wears…her garden gloves and the pink visor that she wore endlessly. It was an emotional scene when Wayne handed me the bag. It may be a dirty, old, pink visor, but it is a priceless treasured piece of meorabilia for us.
Well, this morning I was searching for a photograph to post for Jany’s birthday. You see, today, July 9th, would have been Jany’s 65th birthday on earth, but instead she is celebrating her second birthday in Heaven. When I came across a photo with her in the pink visor, I just knew I had to choose that one. Perfect!
As much as I treasure the many memories and keepsakes of my late mother-in-law, I get it. There are many things that I DON’T get, but I do get that life keeps going and we must keep moving forward. I get that while she was living on earth, she was sharing God’s love and word with others. I get that she is staying busy preparing for us for when we get to heaven. I get that she wants us Christians to continue sharing the gospel with others until The Second Coming.
I also get the wonderful little trip down memory lane that occurred this morning on the day of her birth:
- Holly and I took a bike ride around the island today on Jany’s specially ordered pink roses covered Schwinn bicycle called Rosie.
- The adorable cupcake with a pink rose from Hometown Desserts in Anna Mairia Island.
- Wayne, Tim, and Todd went fishing together this morning.
All is well with our souls. Treausered memories. Remembering Jany today and always.
A very happy birthday to her hilarious twin brother, Johnny. Happy Birthday, uncle Johnny.
Life is Short
Shoes to Fill
I pray many blessings and much joy for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie