When You Find a Good Piece

This week I purchased a 100ish year old secretary desk from a long-time family friend. I put a coat of lemon oil on it and filled it with white dishes that had belonged to my mom and mother-in-law. I stood back and admired my new addition and thought “that’s a good piece.”

And that’s exactly what my mom would have called it. I can remember her advice on investing in quality things. ‘When you find a good piece, whether furniture or clothing, if you can afford it, just buy it. Good pieces are timeless. Classics. Better to have a few good pieces that mix and match than a closet full of trendy things. Furniture will come in and out of style too, but you’ll always have a few good pieces that stay with you for a long time.’

Mom was right. I have a little black dress in my closet that is over 20 years old. It is a good piece. I have a chest of drawers that I bought for $5 from a co-worker when I was 17 years old. It was a good piece. It fell out of the back of a pickup truck during one of our moves. It’s still a good piece. I was recently shopping with my grown daughter and she picked up a top and said ‘I think that would be a good piece.’ I oozed joy that this wisdom had trickled down the generations.

Investment in good pieces doesn’t end with clothing and furniture. It extends to how we spend our time, investing in those things that become legacy. It extends to philanthropic giving, investing in causes that build systemic and long lasting support.

It extends to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus spoke in parables to describe His kingdom. One of His parables was about the pearl of great value. 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. [Matthew 13:45-56 ESV]

Not all pearls have the same value. But when you find the “one,” invest everything for it. Finding Jesus is like that. A glimpse of His love and I knew He was worth everything. My whole heart. My undivided devotion. My life. He’s more than just a good investment piece. More than something to build community around. More than something to add to a weekly schedule. More than a classic bit of wisdom. More than a timeless keepsake or tradition. Lord, help me be sold out for only You.