Blessed by Boxes

I love boxes.  Hinged boxes. Lidded boxes.  Wooden boxes. Wicker boxes.  Even cardboard and plastic boxes, if they are especially cute or especially utilitarian, I love 'em all.  I am so glad we don't have a Container Store here.  I'd be stone cold broke all the time.

Photo cred dwell.com

This is the first box  I remember being especially special to me.  I've had it since I was a little girl.  I don't remember who gave it to me or why, but I kept my most precious keepsakes in it--friends' yearbook photos that we traded, friendship pins made from safety pins and little colored beads, notes passed during English class, a Reagan/Bush 1984 button, the charm from my first gift from my first beau.  I still love this box even though it now holds extra iPod cords. 

My husband has a standing request to scope out boxes for me from the flea market.  These are recent acquisitions that are now treasure chests for keepsakes and Artist Trading Cards:

There are probably ten more performing various duties around the house right now.  I guess it's natural then that I am really incapable of bypassing a box without thinking about 1) bringing it home with me, and 2) giving it a useful life.  In fact, I recently came home with seven cigar boxes from the antique mall in town.  My mom delivered another 5.  I really cannot be trusted, especially not with accomplices!

The "useful life" part is the good news, though.  With these beautiful wooden boxes, I'm making Blessing Boxes like this!

And this:

And this:

The first two are Blessing Boxes for a baby shower and a baby's first birthday.  Guests can write blessings and prayers for the babies, and it becomes a keepsake for cards, those little hospital bracelets, and adorable little striped hats all the babies wear. The second one actually includes an original poem I wrote for my sweet little niece.  The third one that I just finished this afternoon would be a good place for a lover of boxes to keep a prayer list or gratitude journal.  It would also be good for a friend to store get well cards or other well wishes or for a favorite graduate to store keepsakes.  It's just a sweet little reminder that Jesus is always there ready to listen to our needs.

"...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt 28:20

I'll be getting to work on more little boxes to add to the section of my Etsy shop called "Other Great Stuff".  After writing so much about boxes and seeing all my boxes together, you would think I would realize I don't need anymore boxes......but don't be surprised if you see me at the antique mall tomorrow.

May the good Lord bless you today with pretty boxes in all shapes and sizes and sweet keepsakes to store inside them.

<3  Lori