What have you stuffed away in your closet or attic or drawers waiting for the perfect time to use it? What special thing of yours has been packed away, boxed up and long left forgotten?
The earrings that once belonged to your grandmother, that bring her to life in memory and heart when you wear them? That incredible dress that was made just for you, the one that makes you feel beautiful and confident and full of life? Or, my gracious, please don’t tell me it’s your fine china or crystal, the set you received a piece at a time and celebrated when you had four place settings then six and then eight (and for the luckiest 12).
What the heck are you waiting on?!
Are you afraid you’ll lose a stone out of jewelry? Or worry your outfit is too fancy for an ordinary date or girls night out with your friends? Or are you scared you’ll break a plate or glass?
One thing I’m convinced of in life, and I believe it applies here as well–
A decision made out of fear is never the right one.
The value in having a precious possession is not in the possession itself. Isn’t it much more so in the joy of using whatever it is for the purpose it was intended?
Jewelry and dresses are meant to be worn. China and crystal and silver are instruments of celebration to enjoy with those who mean something to you.
Remember lovies, life comes with an expiration date.
Your days are numbered. The average US life expectancy is 78.7 years. 28,725.5 days if you’re lucky enough to be average.
Why would you settle for using your Special Things only when the moon is blue?
Because you think that diminishes their specialness?
Fooey.
Not using your special things is like ordering cake and deciding it’s too pretty to eat. Insanity.
To celebrate my 50th birthday, I wore my princess dress out to dinner with friends. Never you mind not a single other person was dressed in formal attire–IT WAS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. And really, isn’t there a point where you don’t care what people think BECAUSE MOST OF THEM ARE STRANGERS YOU’LL NEVER SEE AGAIN, anyway, and isn’t it a marvelous thought to imagine that your bold choices gave others a reason to smile?
Whether they’re laughing at you or with you, isn’t laughter the glitter of your soul?
How can that be bad?
Every day of your life IS a special occasion. Being alive IS the special occasion.
So, please…tell me: How are you going to celebrate today?
Robin you are my soul sister. I had a feeling but this post pretty much nailed that feeling down once and for all. Yes to all of this. Now is the time.
Kris,
<3 If not now, then when?
As a *very* young bride, I heard a tragic story and it made such an impact on me. This really happened to a friend’s mother.It is a story of fine china. All received as wedding gifts. Kept in a china cabinet, only brought out for the finest company and Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners. Kept on display in a room seldom used for years as children grew up and then brought their own children back. When the dining room was being re-wallpaperd {because in the 70s…all dining rooms had wall paper}, the china was carefully placed on the bed in the guest room, safe from harm. Until the large picture over the bed fell off the wall and broke every.single.piece of the good china. All 12 place settings. All the serving pieces. Gone. In a heartbeat. I made a commitment at that point to always enjoy any ‘nice’ thing I had. Recently, my parents moved to town and the first time I ran to eat lunch with them, my Mother had the antique Limoges on the table. I wear my tiara on my birthday. I wear my diamonds with blue jeans and today…just because…I’m wearing my red cowboy boots!
Mollianne,
You win all the prizes!! I love hearing your heart and practice!!
Oh this was definitely for me! I am a saver of that ‘nice’ stuff! I should have listened to my good friend years ago when she would give me a gift of soaps etc. and say…don’t save it…It’s to be enjoyed now! Thanks for the great reminder! I’m going to wear my ‘glitter top’ the next time I go out. 😉
Susan,
Well, now…that’s a sparkly start ;).
When my youngest son was in 3rd grade, all the kids had to write a report about a country. The class had a special “Country Day” festival. They all brought in props and foods from their special countries. His country? Ireland. His props included one of my Waterford Lismore goblets. Sure enough, the goblet got broken at school that day. But guess what? He got a good grade on his report. And the sky did not fall because the glass broke. I’ve never once missed that goblet, and I’m really glad I didn’t miss the opportunity to let my boy use my good things.
Richella,
Now THAT is putting my words to the test–I’m not sure I could have gone that far :). BUT your response is telling…and I sure love what I hear xo.
I so agree. Now is the time. And keeping things – just please know that the kids most certainly will not want your things! So enjoy them now.
Ps. 78 suddenly seems way too close, my friend. I need to find a tiara.
Linds,
LOVIE–YES! A TIARA!! And when you find it (soon. now.) (I mean it, go and get one!) please have someone take a picture and send it to me! IF NOT NOW…WHEN?
A long time ago a woman told me that she uses her china for every Sunday dinner. I remember thinking, “What a great idea.” Yet, I have it still packed away in the china cabinet and it’s hardly ever used.
Thanks for reminding me. I think we will be using it soon.
Robin,
Why save anything for a “special” day? Every day with my hubby is special to me. You never know when God will call them home. I treasure everything. Wearing special clothes just because I want to show off & enjoy!
So I read this today and thought of the quote at the beginning of your post here, about saving things. Here’s what I read, by Kara Tippetts:
“And when I can go, to go with all I have. It’s mine to spend- why would I reserve it for a better day?
But we all do that, don’t we? We reserve our strength, hold back our big love, wait for a better day to spend what is ours to spend. Why? Why do we withhold all the love that has been given to us to give?”
In this post:
http://mundanefaithfulness.com/2014/09/05/living-well-within-limitations/
Thought you’d appreciate it.