A radio host commented about adulthood. She said there were signals that announce our transition to maturity. She suggested the kitchen ‘junk’ drawer could be one such signal. If you have one – you’re halfway there. The content of this drawer may offer the final clues that you are, indeed, ‘adulting’.

My drawer catches loose change, ballpoint pens, rubber bands, salvaged twist-ties, discount coupons, postage stamps, and other oddities.

I’ve been thinking that perhaps our junk itself might offer more insight. Hmmm, what might mine reveal?

Could the loose change rattling around in the junk drawer, rather than carefully deposited in a coin bank, cast any light on how I view money? I don’t want to lose it, but I tend to hold on casually.

That could be a good thing – or might it mean that I tend not to pay attention to small details (coins) until they reach a certain critical mass (dollar bills)?

That may not be such a good thing. Small things and details are important.

How about ballpoint pens. I do a lot of writing. Pens don’t stay neatly in the cup sitting on my office desk. They migrate to the kitchen table, the coffee or sofa tables, the bathroom, or to my night-stand.

My fingers magnetically attract these literary ‘swords’, which I leave ‘at-the-ready’ in a surprising number of places. As I straighten up,  they find their way to the junk drawer.

Could rubber bands and twist ties represent simple security to me, as a way to sort, gather, and hold ‘stuff’?

Discount coupons offer future benefits. I might not need that large-sized box of product X right now – but I don’t want to miss a good deal. So the coupon is saved (often beyond it’s expiration) to live, forgotten, in the junk drawer.

Postage stamps are not junk – but they live in the drawer too. There really are hidden treasures here.

Can we take it up a notch? Is there any insight for my ‘spiritual’ life in the junk drawer? Might we find some treasured biblical insight here?

LOOSE CHANGE: Proverbs tells us that a fool and his gold are soon parted. Wisdom is required. Does it show here? We need generosity – not a grasp that clings too-tightly to earthly treasures. Small amounts can be of GREAT value, as in the offering of the widow’s ‘mites’. It’s all about intention. Maybe the junk drawer is OK until we find better use for our treasure.

PENS: We are told to always be ready to share Good News with others and to remember God’s words. Writing is a powerful way to share. A personal journal can help us remember our blessings. Pens are power tools.

RUBBER BANDS and TWIST TIES: These simple ‘junk drawer’ things can serve as priceless reminders. A million thoughts may rush around in my head, but I’m not ‘out of control’ – I’m held in my Father’s hands.

DISCOUNT COUPONS: We have incredible immediate and future benefits promised – with no expiration date!

POSTAGE STAMPS: These pay for mailing long-distance messages. They remind me that prayers are my most important messages. I don’t have to worry about long-distances because my Lord is with me always. The only postage due is my time and attention.

I love how small things can remind me of such great treasures.

I might also have found some negatives rattling around in the dark. These things I need to clean out, or to lift up for help. Not bad for a few minutes poking around in a junk drawer.

What’s in yours?

Blessings, Love, and Laughter to you,

Margaret

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