Good Old Stuff

As I am purging things before the move, I am trying to sort what to give and what to keep. You may not be able to tell what the featured image is. It is an old songbook – copyright 1967.

I went through it today and dog-eared about every other page!

There are some great songs. I started to list a few, but it is better for you to see. Those who went to church with me for years will recognize many of these great songs and choruses.

I am now playing for the local Presbyterian church and during the prelude and postlude, I enjoy worshiping with old hymns and choruses. I’m so glad I found this in my stash. Definitely a keeper! (Along with 29 bajillion other songbooks!!!)

I’ve reread a few regular books before they forever become the possession of others. Funny thing about me and books, I can enjoy a second and third reading whether I remember the storyline or not! I have given away one bookshelf and lots of books but still categorized and packed at least 13 boxes so far. I had to repack the first few boxes because they were too heavy, so I am perfectly justified in having that many medium to small boxes! Besides, there is still room in the storage unit! Gotta fill it up to get my money’s worth! Right?

And some books are just plain treasures from my past which I MUST keep. I am such a sap! Poetry books given to me by brothers, books I remember my daddy reading, Mama’s Bible, precious children’s books which I remember reading to my girls by the hour! How can I possibly give away any more?

I found an old book copyrighted in 1928 by a lady named Helen Kingsbury Wallace. I have always been fascinated by the verses in Scripture admonishing women to fulfill their special callings. I’ve even written a blog or two about women being ‘the keepers of kinship.’ When I tried to look up the source of that, there are now many sites to explain the importance of  women’s role in keeping society in all its facets on an even keel and healthy trajectory. Here’s a definition I liked – ‘Kin-keeping means fostering and reinforcing family connections and traditions.’ https://www.womensmentalhealthpodcast.com/blog/kin-keeping-understanding-navigating

Whether it is within a biological family, a friend group, a mentoring/teaching situation, or within the church body, women have the responsibility to pass along our own hard-earned wisdom. The old book I found among my others is titled, ‘Stewardship in the Life of Women.’  Though published 58 years ago (I cheated and used the calculator!), its truths spoke to my heart.

Here is one of the most important paragraphs in the entire book that is as relevant today as it was when the book was first written.

Dr. A. W. Beaven is quoted …‘The one argument that the world cannot get away from is the witness of a person who lives like Jesus Christ. When we debate our differences, the world is nauseated. When we debate about creeds, the world get bored. When we debate our organization, the world is not interested. But when a man or woman lives like Jesus Christ, the world says, ‘Stand still and look at that!’ They cannot get away from the life that is ‘hid with Christ in God’. If you wish really to be a mighty power for Jesus Christ, ask Him to live His life in you. Try to reproduce His qualities. Seek to practice His teaching. The most convincing testimony that you can bear to a lost world is a transformed life.’

I think that says it all.

Blessings

Kara Beth