Hidden Treasures

  A writer's tale: A story came crashing in. One worth telling. Words that had to be written down on paper. Memories from long ago come like a race, runners tumbling in, falling over each other for a chance to win the prize. Which ones will get in the book? They argue “Pick me!” “I’m the most memorable!” Words. They clash all the time. Like cymbals wanting everyone to hear what they have to say. So loud that I can’t think. I take a breath. I am a writer. I must pick the RIGHT word. The individual words have no meaning in a tale. They learn to take their place in order, like a crossword puzzle, words stacked, obedient, in their place. The man and woman meet. They fall in love and get married. They have a wonderful life with three children. Lots of ups and downs...The words continue. They almost have a life of their own. They spill out from the years of learning, reading, conversing, living. The heart of a writer comes from life lived. The words swell up inside like a ball...

 Jerry and I volunteer for the Lynchburg Public Library. We are in charge of a Free Little Library downtown. We go to the main library, to a special place in the back, and grab fifty or sixty books to take to the small library. It has been in disrepair with the knobs falling off, the plastic in the doors scratched, paint fading and peeling, and the roof missing asphalt shingles. Last week Jerry went under it, unscrewed several large screws, and asked a young man who had just parked nearby to help him move it to our truck. It’s heavy! Thanks to his kindness they got it in. We parked in our driveway and the little library is now stationed on a workbench. It took a week for me to paint it, and for Jerry to repair the roof and doors. We are very pleased with it. It will look like part of nature as it returns to its natural habitat. The painting proved to be difficult. I’m used to painting on canvas. The wood was uneven, and I couldn’t move it to make a brush stroke easier. The co...

A giving hand is an open hand. We all have opportunities to give. The question is: how much to give? We pay bills, make sure there’s money in the savings account, give to the church, and give to charity. When two people are involved in giving it gets tricky. There needs to be agreement. Jerry is a very giving man. He grew up in a home with a single working mom who barely made enough income each month. His giving hand is open and generous. I have an open hand as well but come from a different perspective. I was raised in a home that wasn’t wealthy, but we had enough to take vacations and purchase what we needed. Jerry and I purposefully try to give 10% and more to the church, give to charities that speak to our heart, and to others who have a need. But there has to be a limit. We need to be able to take care of ourselves now and in the future. What a balancing act! God knows that, and we can find scriptures for giving that tell us: 2 Corinthians 8: Excel in the grace of giving. Matthew ...