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The Hope Chest
...investing today in the
generations of tomorrow. |
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Learning from Yesterday,
Living for Tomorrow,
in Every Moment Today.
The Hope Chest is an accumulation
of the best of previous
generations,
a collection of knowledge, skills,
goods and hopes
for tomorrow,
governed by wisdom gained from
living in the
light of the Word and
guided by faith in God.
That's why,
as
Rebekah
says,
it's "a legacy of love." |
"That
our sons may be as plants
grown up
in their youth;
that our
daughters may
be as corner stones, polished
after
the similitude of a palace:"
Psalm 144.12
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The Hope Chest: A Legacy of
Love by Rebekah Wilson
While we have resolved to
train up our children, to prepare godly foundations
for future
generations and passing family heirlooms to our children,
we owe
a debt of gratitude to Rebekah for the inspiration and
encouragement
she's given our family to also begin the hope
chest legacy for our sons and daughters.
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Wes made a
Hope Chest for Kathryn for her eighteenth birthday. It was
the first piece of "furniture" Wes had ever made and was a
labour of love for his sweet daughter. He was blessed to
have the help of his dear friend, Mike, and the use of his tools
and expertise. As they've worked together for years and
become more than brothers in the LORD, Wes has learned a great
deal from Mike and so it was totally natural for him to be a
part of this project and the culmination of a dream of mine for
our daughters to have Hope Chests for their homes. Kathryn
has had Rubbermaid bins serve as her "Hope Chest" until she
received her gift. It seemed that we allowed *not* having
a hope chest to prevent us from preparing for her future and
then it became obvious that we could still do all the collecting
and preparing even though she didn't have the actual wooden
chest. It is such a blessing to her that her Daddy made it
specially for her and that he surprised her completely as he
carried it in to her on her birthday.
A number of years
ago, I had shared with her that I would be giving her my
mother's china for her home and she began to collect table
linens and other serving pieces. In time, she would add
other pieces, flatware and other keepsakes to her Rubbermaid
bins that functioned as her "Hope Chest." For her
birthday, in addition to a couple of serving pieces, my
grandmother's crystal sugar bowl, and other gifts, she received
a service for twelve, set of 'everyday' dishes from dear friends
of ours. They know her style "preference" and so
chose beautiful solid white dishes with a fluted edge.
They're so elegant! I share these things because they're
part of our story, part of the purpose we have in the training
of our sons and daughters. Our daughters are learning skills now
as they serve here in our home that will enable them to smoothly
handle a home of their own one day. I'd feel comfortable
with either of our older daughters running our home today were
the need to arise, they'd be able to do anything I know how to do and they'd do very well.
This is such a blessing from the LORD!
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Young Men
When the
boys become teens, they've received tool chests and tools and
for different birthday's and other occasions, Wes has added to
their collections. It has been his goal to train them up
in Spiritual matters as well as with physical work skills.
We've believed that the main part of their training early on
must be a love of work and an ability to work hard and to be
diligent in work. From an early age, our young boys learn
to work on various jobs and have specific responsibilities.
When they demonstrate skill, Wes begins taking them along to
work with him on days where they'd be able to contribute to the
job. He's been determined to teach them skills that would enable
them to work anywhere to earn a living when they're older.
Then, also, as the boys demonstrate trustworthiness and
proficiency in work, he allows them to work for others
(voluntarily or for hire) and continues to allow this unless
there is a breakdown in trust or lack of seriousness or
diligence becomes an issue. It's generally not long before
trust is regained and the young men are able to once again set
out to work. This work is valuable not only for their
future, but it also requires them to wisely use time at home as
they have their school work to complete as well. This is
great incentive to do both well!
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May
Your Hope Chest Be Filled With Hope
And Wisdom
Dear Handmaidens,
I remember when I was a
newly-engaged girl, my mother and
father provided a hope chest for me.
We weren't very well off, but they
acquired an old writing bureau which
they kept in their bedroom for me as
my own room was too small. This hope
chest was filled gradually with all
the usual things to ensure a well
stocked home with crocks and linens.
But I found this was not its primary
purpose for me. It became my focus
and purpose in life- reminding me of
the task ahead of becoming mistress
of my own home. Each time I added
something to it, it filled my soul
with longing for the day of marriage
and hope for the future. As I worked
and saved for my wedding and new
home, it became my anchor. Every
kitchen article was added with
dreams of me cooking delicious meals
for my beloved. Each towel I folded
filled me with visions of them
flapping on the line and I would
plan how to wash them properly and
keep them soft and fluffy. Fluffy
enough to wrap up my new baby after
its bath. For every sheet and
blanket focused me on the physical
side of marriage filling my heart
with the promise of children
conceived in love. As I added to my
picnic ware, my mind would race
imagining flying kites, feeding the
ducks by the pond and country drives
with my husband and children ..life
held great promise for me in that
hope chest...and although mine was
not a true hope chest- it was full
of hope.
May your hope chest fill you with
joy and hope- no matter what its
actual appearance. May it fill you
with hope for the future as you keep
your eyes on Jesus whilst He seeks
out your future husband. Let this be
a time of joyful preparation for
your high calling as a future wife
and mother.
Glenys Robyn Hicks
“Wisdom has built her house: she has
hewn out her seven pillars”
Proverbs 9:1 |
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Kathryn's poems to
us... written on her
eighteenth birthday
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To Daddy
I used to be able to climb into my Daddy's lap,
whenever things weren't right.
I knew I was safe in his arms,
I could hand over to him my fight.
I'd lay my head on his shoulder,
thinking that nothing could come against me.
"My Daddy is the strongest, bravest, truest man,
there is no safer place for me to be."
The years flew by faster than I realized,
I often wonder how I got here.
What happened to the girl who always ran to her Daddy,
because she knew that with him, she would never fear?
She grew up without even knowing,
Though there are times she wishes still,
that she could be his baby girl again.
He has her heart and always will.
Can he ever truly know that he is her Hero?
~love, Kathryn
April 17, 2004 |
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To Mama
I got down on my knees to pray,
on this, my little girls big day.
It used to seem that the days went so slow,
but now I wonder, where did the time go?
"Oh God, did I give her enough of me?
Or is there a chance that there's more she could be?
This gift came at such a high price,
there was much I had to sacrifice…
But was it enough?
Sadness filled my heart
as I thought of the "my little girl" of
yesterday,
though I always knew she couldn't stay.
Then God's peace washed over me,
as He gently brought me to see…
I've given her the tools she needs
to be a mother,
and the love she needs
to be joined to another.
But the greatest thing I've given,
is a love for the One
by whom she's driven.
Jesus her Saviour,
the heartbeat of all she does.
Now I see I have taught her right,
she knows and is guided by Your Light.
I rise to face the awaiting day,
safely trusting, come what may.
~love Kathryn
April 17, 2004 |
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