Treasures to Uncover

The Abernathys are still overwhelmed in the aftermath of last Sunday evening's celebration of our tenth anniversary at Westwood. The kind words, inspiring music, delicious food, and sweet fellowship were a blessing to all. I find those moments of recognition humbling as the kindness of others often makes me realize how blessed I truly am. The Westwood family welcomed us with open arms a decade ago and continues to bring blessing to our lives in so many ways. We look forward with great anticipation to the days to come as there are still new chapters to write in the continuing story of Westwood Baptist Church.

Weather permitting, we are scheduled to participate in our neighborhood yard sale Saturday morning. Motivated by a bit of water in our basement a few weeks ago, we moved all the boxes out of the unfinished basement and have been going through things that haven't seen the light of day in probably fifteen years. Perhaps you have had that experience of moving things from house to house with every intention of sorting through them at a later date, but then, not getting around to it. The great inventor, Thomas Edison once wrote, "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." I'm not sure about the imagination, but if the pile of junk qualifies me, I might turn out to be quite the inventor.

Of course, not everything that we have gone through is junk. Among the few treasures we found were some pictures, one of which made quite an impression on me. The picture was of two men, one playing an electronic organ while the other adjusted the sound over the first man's shoulder. These two men were my dad at the keyboard and Cindy's dad adjusting the stops on the organ. Neither man was terribly musical, but together in that picture, they looked like the maestro and his assistant, poised to begin the concert! Both men are no longer with us, but the picture stirred memories of wonderful moments we shared together with them that still fill our hearts and minds.

The moments of life are for sharing and celebrating. Whether these memories are bittersweet as we remember loved ones no longer beside us, or celebratory in acknowledging the passing of time and the blessing of relationship, these are the treasures of life that give voice to our stories and mark the moments, days, and years of our lives. It all passes so quickly! The New Century Version translation of Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise." The Contemporary English Version says, "Teach us to use wisely all the time we have." For me it means, make wise use of every moment you are given. I can't say that I always adhere to that truth, but the events of this past week have reminded me once more that I am blessed to know the love of Christ, my family and friends, and the treasure of relationship we share together as brothers and sisters in Christ at Westwood Baptist Church.

Well, I must go...there are a few more boxes to empty, and perhaps a few more treasures to uncover.

Jim Abernathy