Reflections - Empty Rooms; Full Hearts

417 Cranewater Court

For the past couple of days, Kieran has been talking a lot about our "old" house.  Usually it is triggered by a picture that pops up on our digital picture frame (the only picture frame I brought with us).  He will say, "Mommy, don't  you miss our old house?"  Or, "Mommy, do you remember ________ about our old house?"

Sometimes, we talk about the memory and move on, but sometimes we shed a few tears.  The morning we left our first family home, I walked through each room thinking of the wonderful memories made in that house.  Kris and I sat on the balcony and had one last swing on the porch swing that he built for me on my 2nd or 3rd Mother's Day.  I may have shed a tear or two. 

The Master Bedroom

 It was very strange to see that house with empty rooms...it seemed much bigger all of a sudden.  Funny how that happens when you take out all the stuff!   Thankfully, a heart full of memories is easy to pack up, and it travels well.  This morning, I heard Elyse and Kieran giggling in his room together.  Suddenly, I realized that we were filling our new rooms with memories.  When we leave here, we will pack up some more great memories and take them with us. 

Our Empty Living Room

When we were deciding what to call our family newsletter, we chose "Toler's Treasure" based on the verse from Matthew 6:19-21 which says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

Thank you, God, for teaching us the importance of putting heavenly treasures ahead of earthly treasure and thank you for hearts full of the memories made along the way.  Amen.