The beauty of a hope chest- so many ideas and thoughts come to each of our minds when we hear the words Hope Chests. The first documented use of a hope chest was during the Italian Renaissance Era (1600's) and was called a "cassone" meaning chest. At that time, the hope chest was engraved with pictures on it telling a story usually something Biblical or from Greek mythology. Sadly, during the 1900's, the hope chest has seemed to go out of style, so to speak. Thankfully, it is starting to be renewed. Many times, a young woman quilted, embroidered sheets and towels, and collected household items that she would need and use when she wed. As the new bride emptied her hope chest, the chest was replenished with family memories, often the bride's wedding gown, special keepsakes, and such. What a beautiful way of having our loved ones from our past surround us with their love and their presence than by having items from them in our home to remind us of them and all they had gone through. Hope chests reminds me of the value of femininity, the beauty, importance, virtue and grace of being a wife, mother and a homemaker lovingly serving my husband and children in a Christ centered home. Each item I make and place in my hope chest, I think of future generations to come and what will I leave them for their future hope chests.

Blessings and prayers,

Sharon