FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T THROW AWAY

#1  FRIENDS

   "God has given gifts to women and men but none so precious as the ones you call friend." Something I wrote years ago. Truth be told life can be very lonely. It is only by the communion of the One we can't see and the fellowship of those we can see that make life bearable and even enjoyable. I've seen some dismiss a friend for pettiness, never to have them back again though they may try. Friendships take effort to maintain but they are invaluable when needed. May we show mercy to them in their failings as we do to strangers when we minister to them.

#2  MEMORIES    For many these are all they have left. Life flies by so fast we barely have time to juggle the events of the day much less catalog and archive them but one day we will need to remember. We collect mementos along the way in life, from travels and events. We display them, we appreciate them and then we pack them away. At some point we consider discarding them but that would be a mistake. Life is filled with tragedy and strife. Objects are touchstones for memories, we keep the good and release the bad. This is not to deny the bad but to cherish the good. As we grow older we may need to relive some of those good times and events of our past. Open that box in the closet. Fill your rooms with good memories because they are one of the things you should not throw away. #3  YOUR LIFE   When we were young we thought ourselves invincible. Looking back many of us can say, "I could have died doing that." Time, relationships and achievements have taught us to be more cautious. But still some in the midst of gathering all this world has to offer has by neglect thrown away what is of most importance. It is your life in Christ. As Paul writes we only get one life and then we are to be judged. It would be foolish to gather all things here and give no thought for there. It is never too late to redeem the time and your life. You have but one life to live for God, live it well. To do otherwise would be to throw it away.   #4  THE MOMENT   It usually comes at the most inconvenient of times. A split second decision we will make. Many times we will say next time, wait a minute or not now but that moment will never come again though we may eventually return. Granted we cannot fulfill all requests for our time and that's why we need discernment. Some moments are needful and can be life changing for someone else. But there are other moments needful only to us. How often do we ignore the tug at our spirit to take a break with the Lord, to turn aside from the crowds, to walk up to the water's edge. To steal away to the hillside or close the door in our upper room. Moments with God are often spontaneous and no two alike. They are a refreshing breeze to the spirit for those who will stop and turn, face the wind and hear what the Spirit is saying in the moment.   #5  YOUR FAITH   Faith is a journey of the soul that grants encounters of the God kind. We read many times in scripture where faith was needed to make that connection to the supernatural. We are told we need it for all aspects of our relationship with God. Much is written of faith in God. But it is intangible, it ebbs and flows. Life's events and circumstances play havoc with our faith. Some have simply discarded theirs depending on self only. A lonely and tiresome effort to be sure. What was once child like has now become skeptical. Faith as well as hope and love are the foundation of this life. Together they are the cord of three strands in Ecclesiastes. Faith holds you when family turns away and friends walk out, when uncertainty creeps in and whispers doubt. Faith, not something you throw away for it is more precious than gold.