Author: Mollie T. Cox

The Stories I Share: The Car on Blocks

May 1st, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

“To begin, the car next door needs to go. It will deter a buyer,” our realtor explained.

“We bought the house,” said my husband.

“No one else will. This is a buyer’s market.”

The car in question was on blocks and sat outside our master bedroom window. Our neighbor—being the good sister that she was—had allowed her brother to tow it to her yard when his wife said the relic had to be removed. The wife had given up on her husband restoring it.

What to do? We liked our neighbor and didn’t want to offend her. The car wasn’t against any city code. Not only did it not bother us, I also had fond memories of my middle son standing at the window and gazing at the car.

So, we did nothing and trusted that God would allow our house to sell with the eyesore. A couple of weeks later, two men towed the car away. Our neighbor said they had knocked on her door and offered to clean her yard in exchange for the car.

Have you had a difficult situation disappear?

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Family, God's Faithfulness, Sharing Stories

Share Your Stories

April 24th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Psalm 40:10

At my age, I am more on the giving end than the receiving end of stories. Most stories I want are unattainable. I either waited too late to ask or was too young when it was time to ask. Therefore, I am becoming more deliberate about passing down family history and information, especially if it demonstrates God’s loving care.

Along the way, I learned that the more I tell or record my stories, the more I am the one who benefits. Like Deena Kastor, I reflect and process both the fleeting moments and the long hours that rushed by me. (See here for more.)

Telling a remembered story usually leads to a forgotten story and sometimes a second forgotten story, which all remind me of a special time or an important truth. Both the remembered and the forgotten bring necessary comfort or conviction.

The more I share, the more I am blessed.

Do you have a favorite story that blesses both you and others?

Basics, Sharing Stories

The Greatest Story Was Told

April 17th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

Along the way, I keep learning the value of passing down important information, especially through stories. (See Here.)

This Sunday, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, how do we know its significance and the pertinent facts? Someone told the story.

It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Luke 1:3-4 (ESV)

Through Luke—and others—God made sure that the life of Jesus was recorded.

While homeschooling, I used the genealogy of Genesis to construct a time line. What surprised me the most? The life of Noah’s father, Lamech, and the life of Adam overlapped by 56 years. Lemech possibly listened to Adam’s first-hand accounts of the Fall and the promise of a Savior.

The long life of Adam—930 years—allowed his knowledge to be given to a multitude of people for centuries.

We continue the blessing as we accurately tell the good news,and add our own accounts of God’s faithfulness.

Which stories are you passing along this week?

Memories, Parenting, Sharing Stories

Stories Impart Value

April 10th, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

Memories impart value. (See Here.) Recently, I pondered how stories are secondhand memories, and therefore, also impart value.

When my uncle showed me his train set, he told how he had constructed certain components—including failed attempts. Certain cars and scenes represented events in his life. The hobby also provided a distraction when he was depressed. His stories drove me to find appreciative new owners after he passed.

Many of my uncle’s possessions, which I inherited, had neither memories nor stories. Who used the antique butter churn? What was the origin of the cast iron coffee table? My brother recognized the cast iron cobbler’s stands and shoe forms as residing on my grandparents’ hearth before their death, but who used them?

With limited time and space, memories—both firsthand and secondhand—drove decisions. Based on my brother’s recognition, the cobbler stands made the trip to my home. Later research showed that my great-great-grandfather was a shoemaker.

Along the way, I learned I must tell others my stories about heirlooms. And ask for stories so I can make better decisions in the future. *

Are you curious about an heirloom?

*I’m perusing The Stories We Leave Behind by Laura Gilbert.

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Family, Memories

Memories Impart Value

April 3rd, 2022
Mollie T. Cox

Along the way, I learned that memories impart value.

My uncle bequeathed me the contents of his home. As I packed china and depression glass and debated shipping furniture, my brother held out an item.

Is this the M&Ms dish?

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. I remembered its place by my grandfather’s recliner and the forbiddeness of snitching a chocolate morsel.

My brother remembered the too-loud clank of the glass lid when he was naughtier or perhaps braver than me.

I carefully packed the M&Ms dish, and later cried when another tried to claim it.

Look what I found.

This time my brother held out Rook cards, the same vintage as my parents’ cards.

The colored numbers brought back images of my parents playing Rook with their friends. Once, I got in trouble for peeking over shoulders and announcing a player’s hand. I felt like an adult when I was old enough to play Rook with my siblings.

My brother happily packed the Rook cards.

What made two objects—costing less than $20 each—priceless? The memories.

I wonder which objects my boys will eventually claim. (See Their Memories, Not Yours Here.)