Modern Hope Chest
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of a hope chest; albeit an antiquated tradition of stowing treasured things away for married life. After spending time both researching the history of trousseaus and browsing vintage advertisements, I fully committed myself to the idea. I then set off to find a chest.
Lane seemed to have been the largest manufacturers of hope chests, with many still being sold on Craigslist and second-hand marketplaces I figured I would eventually find “the one”. I also expected to find a cedar chest in need of a new stain finish or reupholstery.
In addition to my desire of obtaining a hope chest I resolved to disregard waiting for the opportune time (i.e. a wedding registry) to accumulate physical items I find to be crucial components of a well rounded home life and to buy them for myself. This idea sparked in part by lace curtain panels my grandmother graciously gifted me when I moved out of her home and across the country. I didn’t know then but it would truly be the last time in my early twenties that I would move back home, and marked my final departure as an adult into the world. And there they were neatly folded in my cupboard, waiting to be enjoyed and cherished.
As we now live in modern times with modern working women; myself among this cohort my first studio apartment has become a safe haven, and glimpse into what will eventually evolve into a family and a much larger home. Let’s hope with the full furnishings of a house city apartments often lack- like a Sub-Zero refrigerator, backyard, and a washer and dryer. I also think there is something very special about things crafted to last a lifetime. In a microwave culture of instant gratification it’s refreshing to find something well made. Whether it be a birthday cake baked from scratch or a solid piece of furniture.
The first two things I spent nearly a year searching for and finally purchased were a second-hand pink KitchenAid stand mixer and a portion of the Lenox Rhodora dining set. The dining set in my possession is currently incomplete. Although, I do intend to eventually fully outfit it with serving platters, chargers, and linen napkins.
Around the same time I set out on my quest for a hope chest I became enamored with the story of David; a man after god’s own heart. Along with this David was pursued by God, and his story is a beautiful testament to the intimacy of a Christian life.
The dream of David’s heart was to love god with all of his strength and to obey him with loyal love. His primary concern was following and honoring God; and in doing so he contended for the full purpose of God in his generation. David also had many years of preparation to be an exalted king, was tested and remained steadfast in his primary pursuit. He continually realigned himself with loving God throughout his life. David obeyed the commands of God’s heart. His dream wasn’t to be king it was his assignment he never cared about the kingship he cared about his relationship with the Lord most. He was king because it was pleasing to God. When the Lord allows the opportunity WILL YOU maintain God as the number one in your life?
What also matters is understanding the test within God’s agenda in each season. Passing the test requires not only loving God but pursuing to know the heart of God with all of your strength and all of your might. As relayed by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-38, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’ Upholding this commandment as a primary focus is what is crucial to keep the vision of an exalted promise during your assignment. Blessings, promotions, or even pressure are to be kept secondary.
David had many seasons in his life we can glean wisdom from. Though the first thing he did once he secured the city of Jerusalem, was endeavoring to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city. The significance of the Ark of the Covenant is that it represented the glory and the presence of God. In the times of the Old Testament the ark was the only place on Earth where the glory of God would be manifested on a continual basis. It was also a continuation of God’s promises foretold to Moses. The lesson of the Ark of the Covenant is to search God’s word, heed to his instructions even when it’s not convenient to our human understanding, and approaching God in the way it’s described in the Bible. As the presence of God is holy and to be revered with respect to his authority and presence.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
In my quest I learned to make the vision plain but let go of any pre conceived ideas of how the vision would unfold. As soon as I saw the chest online, I knew it was “the one”. The chest was a 3 hour drive down the coast outside of Carmel-By-The-Sea, there was some back and forth with the seller who was unable to deliver the chest. After nearly a month of indecision due to various inconveniences of the distance, I finally set out to make the journey. Which ended up being more beautiful than expected.
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Charming alleyway in Carmel-By-The-Sea.
Like the sunflowers following the sun even when it’s cloudy; so should we turn our hearts toward God.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Items I’d like to place inside of the Hope Chest:
Baby clothes
Baby books
Items I’d enjoy in a future home:
Lenox Spice Village
Monogrammed Linen Sheets
Monogrammed Towels
Fornasetti teapot
Sabre Cutlery Set
Anything Bernadaud
China Hutch
Duncan Phyfe dining table
Milo Baughman circular chaise lounge
Marilyn Minter throw pillows
Romero Britto Love Blossoms flower vase
Ettore Sottsass Ultrafragola mirror
Roy Lichtenstein lithograph
Apart from the physical items or dare I say accoutrements of material success; I’d like to cultivate the intangible spiritual components of a peaceful Christian home fully protected by the armor of God, and covered in the blood of Jesus. In this season I’m being called to not only surrender to the fullness of a sanctified life but to also refine and perfect my love for God. To prune, repent, and have patience in the process. I’m endlessly grateful and look forward to experiencing how it all unfolds in perfect timing.
Resources & Meditations
Don’t Take your Spirit from Me - Tribl & Maverick City Music
“Waiting on God” Life Lessons From King David - Sermon
Mike Bickle, Studies in the Life of David Session 1
Mike Bickle, Studies in the Life of David - Video Study
Mike Bickle, Studies in the Life of David Session 2
Mike Bickle, Studies in the Life of David - Video Study
Mike Bickle, Studies in the Life of David, David Brought the Ark the Jerusalem
Mike Bickle, Studies in the Life of David, David Brought the Ark the Jerusalem- Video Study
“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”