Recognizing Treasure

Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch! 1 Samuel 25:29 (NLT)

What is a treasure pouch? It is a bag used to carry valuable treasure.  What is a treasure? We are!

Others were given in exchange for you.
    I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
    You are honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:4

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:16

Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!           1 John 3:1

For the Lord your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

God holds us so very close to him and protects us as we would hold on to and protect a treasure. Our lives are precious. You are loved. You are a treasure. Yes, you.  But, don't just take my word for it.  Ask him yourself.  He'll tell you!

Worn Out For His Glory

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

As I began to clean my house, I started noticing how worn things were looking. With the mop, I swept passed the white chair we have that was speckled with dark spots. Those would never come out. I noted the same old rugs in the hall by the front door that have been there for ten years. And the hardwood floors were marked with scratches and worn spots.

There was a part of me that wanted to shout "Enough!"  I need new stuff!

As I continued to move through the house, I started reflecting on how it got this way. The dark speckles on the white chair were from a party we had where a little girl spilled a glass of grape-colored juice. I remember the horrified look on her face and everyone rushing to her, hugging her and telling her not to worry....it's just a chair.

The scratches and worn spots on the hardwood floors?  Well, some of the scratches were from a hospital bed that sat in our living room to care for an elderly parent. And the worn spots were from lots of traffic with people and pets. They were from years of family gatherings, church meetings, Bible Studies and parties. People have laughed, cried and prayed on those floors. And those old rugs.....oh the stories they could tell. Many feet have come and gone on them. 

And life has continued on. Even though I want to fix some of this stuff (and one day I will), life has brought us challenges that make us delay updates.  But even in it's well-used state, God is still using all of these things for his glory. And really, that's OK with me.