Storing Up Treasures In Heaven

June 28th, 2017

I was rushing around the basement trying to get everything ready for the big delivery. I had just finished washing all my plates, glasses, and cutlery. They were all wrapped in newspaper and strategically placed in large bins so that nothing would break. All of my blankets and towels had been washed, dried and folded into boxes. Every piece of furniture, along with everything I owned, had been pushed towards the entrance way, ready to be picked up.

What time is it? I thought to myself.

I looked up at the clock, only to find an empty wall with an outline of where the clock used to hang. I anxiously rumbled through the papers and books on the counter until I found my cellphone. The time read 10:30 am.

They should be here any minute.

A charitable organization called Hands of Hope was going to be picking up all my furniture and belongings. It is a Christian organization in Winnipeg that provides furniture and household items to immigrant families in the city. They share the love of Jesus and help these families start their new lives here in Canada.

Many of the items I was giving away were only two years old, and they had been gifts given to me from family and friends at my wedding shower. Normally, I could never have given these items away, because it would have been disrespectful to the people who had gifted it to us. I loved all my possessions and I was so thankful for everyone’s love and generosity. However, Matt and I believed God was sending us out to cycle around the world. We didn’t know if we would be gone for a couple months, or a few years. God had been preparing us for the last nine months for this journey, and one of the topics of preparation was what to do with our effects. It seemed like everytime I opened my bible, Jesus was encouraging me not to put my possessions into storage, but to give them away to the poor. After a few months of these pep talks, I had the confidence to give all my belongings to Hands of Hope, knowing that it would be pleasing to God.

It was amazing to think that in just three days, I would be officially unemployed, homeless, and would only own the items packed on my bicycle. Despite these circumstances, there was a deep inner peace and a joy in my heart.

There was just one problem. I had placed everything at the entrance way, except for my stainless steel cookware set. Oh, my beautiful pots and pans! They were brand new and expensive. The thought of parting with them broke my heart. Instead of putting them in a box, I contemplated if there was someone else who might appreciate them. I knew my friend Julie-Anne was going to be getting married in a few weeks. Perhaps she could use them? I quickly sent her a text.

“Hey Julie-Anne, do you need some pots? I have a set from my wedding that I am giving away.”

To my surprise she responded quickly.

“Not really, but I can take them off your hands if you would like.”

My heart sank with disappointment. I was hoping she would say, “That’s amazing! Thank you so much Amy!”

I mean, my pots were beautiful. I didn’t want to give them away to someone who didn’t need, or even appreciate them. I started to feel anxious, so I picked up the phone and called her.

“Okay, I’m confused. Do you need a set of pots or not?” I asked, getting straight to the point. She must have heard the frustration in my voice, because she answered with caution.

“Well, I’m not sure Amy. Josh has a set of pots at his house, but he doesn’t own them. If we move out we’ll have to buy our own. But then again, someone might buy us a cookware set for our wedding.”

There was silence on the phone as I processed her answer.

“What’s wrong Amy? Why is this so important to you?”

I realised that it didn’t matter to Julie-Anne if she owned a new or old set of pots. It only mattered to me.

“I don’t know why, but these pots are very important to me. My mom owns a cookware set that she received on her wedding day. She’s been married for 32 years now, and she still uses the same set of pots. She even has an old pot that previously belonged to my grandma, and she uses it to make popcorn and drop cookies. I suppose, I had a dream in my heart that someday, when I got married, I would receive my own set of pots that I could use for the rest of my life. I would make meals for my family and pass it onto my own children. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl.”

Talking to Julie-Anne made me realize that I wasn’t just giving away a cookware set. I was giving up an old dream.

“Well, if they mean that much to you, I can always hold onto them until you get back”.

I thanked her for the offer and  hung up the phone.

Now my heart was unsettled. It was completely logical to give my cookware set to Julie-Anne and preserve my dream, but it would be going against what God had been speaking to me during my quiet times. I started to panic. All my furniture, new towels, and plates, suddenly I didn’t want to give anything away. I could feel my eyes starting to tear up. Fear and panic was flooding into my heart. God help me!

I grabbed my journal from the table like it was a lifeline. I fumbled through the pages of the book, desperate to hear the words of Jesus. I only had to flip a few pages to find exactly what I needed.

Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. (Luke 12:32-33)

Peace flooded into my heart as read His words.

It was so silly for me to hold onto a simple set of pots, when the Father was so happy to give me His Kingdom. And His Kingdom is so much better than anything I will ever own in this world. His plans for me are better than my own, and His dreams for me are greater than I can imagine. I don’t want to build my own kingdom. I want to build the Kingdom of God, and I want to be a part of everything Jesus is doing on this earth.

I wiped away my tears and stood up tall. With great care, I placed each pot into a cardboard box and then placed it in front of the entrance. Immediately, my heart was filled with His Peace.  I placed my hand on the box and declared with all my heart,

“Jesus, build Your Kingdom!”