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By Betsy Ore Glass

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34 ESV

My grandfather was always thinking of things that were creative and wise. He moved in with us when my grandmother passed and so we became a multi-generational family under one roof. We liked talking to him and even though we were called “whippersnappers” at times, I think he enjoyed the second chance at life he had with us.

It was one day in December, in the early 1960s, when my grandfather came home with a huge box. We all gathered around as he announced that this gift was for all of us, to use for the special moments in our life. We were in awe of what it could be! “We’d use it at Christmas, weddings, church socials and more,” he said. In the box was the most beautiful, ornate silver punchbowl I had ever seen. There were shiny silver cups, a huge ladle and a tray to hold the grand gift. We were so excited to have something so beautiful and grand. Over the years, our gift from grandaddy proudly sat on my mother’s dining room buffet. Grandaddy was right. We used the gleaming punchbowl for all the special occasions in our family.

Many decades passed. My grandfather and parents went to glory. What happened to the punchbowl? I hadn’t seen it in a long while. It was found in the attic in very poor condition. Corroded, in fact. It was beyond restoration. Sadly, it seemed it had served its purpose. It brought us joy and memories but its time was over. Although the punchbowl suffered a sad demise, the treasured moments spent around it over the years were still intact in my heart. I remember having to polish it! It was a hard job. It was so heavy and we had to be very careful. I stood and served punch for many occasions. It was a feature of my childhood.

And now, many years later, my family is grown and the need for a punchbowl is not important. And times have changed, too. Formality seems to have lost its charm with the newer generations. So it was a total surprise when I came across a replica of the punchbowl we once had. No, it is not quite as sturdy and as heavy as the original. But it was close enough for me to have bought it for my own dining room. Some things are worth cherishing and this is one of them for me. My family may not understand my sentimentality towards this new shiny addition to my buffet, but I will know and now you know too. And most of all, it makes me feel close to those that I loved that have passed. Recently my heart has had a yearning for those days gone by. Perhaps I have more punchbowl memories behind me that ahead of me, but regardless, my heart is warmed with the love of family sharing a few more moments together.

While my grandfather’s gift to our family was elaborate and much appreciated there is a greater gift waiting. The Good News is that God gave his Son to die for us on the cross so that we may have life everlasting with him. He will forgive our sins. He will refresh us and we will be renewed in Him. As we are approaching Christmas in a few weeks, there is no better time than now to submit to God asking Him to come into our life. It is simple. Or perhaps you want to recommit to God. All Heaven rejoices when we come before Him as sinners and walk upright as we are born again. God bless.

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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