This is something I’ve thought about a lot. I have fears of several types of disasters, and the two that scare me the most are fires and tornadoes. In both, I not only could lose all my possessions, I could lose my cats. I’d be heartbroken over that.
I think about the things that would disappear out of my life and do what I can to minimize some of the losses. I have a safe deposit box for all my jewelry (“all” being a misleading word–I don’t have much, but what I have, I value). I got that when I thought about what would happen to a favorite ring of mine in a fire. It’s gold, and would likely melt. Since there was something I could do to prevent that, I did it. Now my jewelry sits there and I never wear it. Not that have occasion to anyway.
I’ve been working on a novel, and I save every chapter in the Microsoft cloud. I’m trusting that it’s safe there and no one could hack in, but the reality is, my novel needs so much work a stranger probably couldn’t do anything with anyway.
But those are the things that are relatively safe from disaster. What if all the hand knit items I’ve made over the years were suddenly gone? I’ve had to give some of them away because I don’t have room for them, but there’s still plenty I’ve hung on to. I have some beautiful shawls that I actually use, a few timeless sweaters I still wear, and that sort of thing. And all my knitting books and patterns! Okay, I’ve trimmed that collection down quite a bit, but I particularly treasure what I have.
Yes, I have renter’s insurance, which would buy me some new furniture, dishes, and clothes. But it wouldn’t replace the Snoopy mug I got when I sixteen or the handmade cards a friend has given me.
So what would I do if I lost all my possessions? You can bet I’d cry some. But if my cats were safe and I was safe, I guess I’d find a way to rebuild. Looking around now at all the things I own, such as the book of poetry my great-grandfather gave my great-grandmother on their wedding day and the Christmas ornaments friends have given me over the years, I know I can’t keep them all safe.
So I need to value what I have while I have it. But these are treasures that will eventually fall into ruin one day anyway. Who knows what will end up in a landfill when I die. I need to build up treasures for eternity. I can lose all my possessions, but I cannot lose the love of God.
Image Credits: Teddy Bear © VK Studio; Tornado © Breck; Typewriter © OneLineStock–all, stock.adobe.com
My World With Words 
It would be a shock to be sure if all material items in my life were lost, but what would remain within me would be so much more valuable both for this life and the next. We possess so much more of value in our hearts and minds. I look at it as if we’re just “renting” our possessions since we can’t take ’em with us anyway…indeed, enjoy them while we can, Belinda.
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Absolutely. My priorities have shifted so much. Those things that have been handed down to me from great-greats I try to keep track of for future generations, but a lot of what I’ve collected in my lifetime is disposable.
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I loved learning about you, Belinda, just from hearing about the things you treasure. Let’s hope we both never have to experience losing our prized possessions. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been able to realize that the things I’ve held onto aren’t as important anymore.
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I agree. I’ve been giving a lot of stuff away lately–or throwing it away–and I know I highly valued some of it at one point. But it’s different as you get older.
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I really loved reading this. The way you care for your treasures, both the things you can hold and the love you carry, feels so honest and real. It’s a beautiful reminder that, even if possessions are lost, the most meaningful things in life, like love and faith, can never be taken from us. Your words made me think about the treasures in my own life. 💛
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Thank you so much! While I hope I’m never tested in this way, I know I could survive it. Love and faith reign above all our earthly treasures.
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Love the way you connect to the things that matter – your cats and the love of God. Beautiful, Belinda!
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They are more important than anything I own. Not to say what I own doesn’t matter, but, well, you get it!
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