Treasures

Matthew 6:19-20 New International Version (NIV)

Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

I have been going through boxes and bins of old papers, cards, and art work of my daughters.  I enjoy looking at all their stuff but I know I can't keep everything. (Just to clarify, they told me to throw it all away.) I came across an assignment of Jessica's which asked her, what is her "Treasure?"  It also asked what was her Dad's, Mom's, Sister's, and dog's treasure. She wrote that my "Treasure" was my rings because the are precious to me.  

It's true, my wedding and engagement rings are precious to me.  They symbolize the unending love Bill and I have for each other.  They represent the commitment to love and honor each other through better and worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health until death do us part.

Today as I look around my home I see pictures on the walls and in frames of my family.  I see photos of places I have been and things I done through the years since Bill put those rings on my finger. These are now my "Treasures" especially since my memory is not as sharp as it was.  

I look at the images of Bill and I as young parents, my daughters as little girls, my mom and dad, sisters and brother, nieces, and nephews  and think of all that we have done together.  I see pictures of the Rockie Mountains, the Grand Canyon, New York City, and of course the beach.  Memories come flooding into my mind as I recall those vacations and adventures to those far away places.

Yes, these are the things that are important to me.  No one can steal these from me. Nothing can take them away.

But even as I recall my loved ones and the journeys I have taken, I must remember the One who blessed me with this life. The creator of the family I have.  The Potter who formed me from clay, who knit me together in my mother's womb. The Maker of the Earth and all that is in it.  

Psalm 8

1 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[c]

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
    and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Lord God,

Thank you for everything, I mean EVERYTHING!  You made it all, and then You gave it all to us.  Wow!  I'm amazed by Your goodness, Your kindness, Your love and wisdom.  Help me to live each day You give me for You.  Show me how to love others as You love me.  Help me to see others as You see them.  Keep me always thankful for every blessing I have, knowing that it comes from YOU.

In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.