When my parents bought the house where I grew up, my mother found in the cellar, on a dusty shelf, a glass toothpick holder which looked as if it might be an antique. She brought it upstairs to the kitchen, washed it, and left it on the kitchen table. That afternoon one of her cousins visited, and, seeing the little toothpick holder, said, “Mildred! I didn’t know that you collect toothpick holders! That’s quite pretty. I’ll tell Aunty!” “Oh!” said my mother, “I just found that in the cellar and brought it up to wash it.” She could have spared the breath it took to answer our cousin, because the next thing she knew, the relatives were giving her tooth pick holders. Aunty had a small antiques business, and was delighted to have something to give her niece for birthdays and Christmas.

Mom never said, “I don’t really like toothpick holders,” so all of us children and our grandmother assumed that she was starting a collection. I even made a toothpick holder out of clay for Mom. In time she amassed a very large collection of glass and ceramic toothpick holders for which my father made shelves to display them. Mom seemed to like them, but I don’t remember anyone ever using them. They were an easy gift to give, not hard to find, and came in an variety of shapes and colors.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) I believe that most of us from time to time pursue activities or friendships or even occupations that lead not to joy and fulfillment, but to disillusionment and disappointment. When Jesus spoke of “freedom” he was addressing all the ways in which we are tied to unfulfilling relationships or activities. He was telling us of an enduring joy that is so deep that it extends into eternity. It is not half one thing and half another, but whole, abiding goodness that feeds our souls: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. . . As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ( John 15:5&7)

My mother had a great fondness for little children. She had five of her own. The things she really liked to collect were German Hummels, small figurines of children in many activities. When she looked at them, they brought her joyful memories.

Love in Him,

Prue