Mothballs

My paternal grandma, Mildred Luella Kumpula Swanson (Millie Ma), gained her eternal rest when I was just 14 years old. I don’t have a lot of memories of her because I was young and didn’t get to see her often (we lived in Green Bay and she in Chicago). However, one memory I have of visiting her flat during her end days was the smell of mothballs in her coat closet. It was a strong, permeating smell. My grandma had a lot of woolen items and wanted to keep them safe from bugs. She valued her items, having survived the great depression, and saw the importance of keeping things in good shape. She also had a great collection of costume jewelry, polyester clothes, and books that I really appreciated as a teen! Those mothballs though were like an invisible shield around her belongings. Invisible, but not indetectable!

Isaiah talks about God being the one to help him and that because of God, no one can find him guilty. He illustrates what will happen to those who don’t believe in God by comparing them to garments that are worn out and eaten by moths. Because of God, Isaiah, and all believers are protected. We can stand the test of time, and will not be worn out, nothing can bring us to ruin. We may not be tucked away in a coat closet with God as our ever present mothballs, but we are preserved in the same way. While you may not want to have a bucket of mothballs in your house as an illustrative way to remember God’s protection, you could have something else to remember, a Bible. Keep it visible, remember God’s protection over you and how he will preserve you.

Prayer:
Thank you Lord for being my ever present shield and protector. Keep me safe from those who look to bring me to an end. Remind me that the things of this world may wear out and pass away, but in you I have eternal life. Amen.