I was cleaning out my bread drawer the other day and it brought to mind my little brother. Not because he’s a neat freak (he is) but because of his interesting childhood hobby.
As a small boy, my brother Bones (at one time a skinny little jigger), had quite an impressive stockpile of bread tabs. Often you could find him sprawled out on the carpet, sorting mountains of plastic clips according to size and colour. He spent ages lying on the livingroom floor counting his treasure and pilfering for more.
A mustard yellow toy safe housed the prized collection and a trusty combination lock warded off any would-be thieves.
The street value of the tabs was irrelevant. They were valuable to Bones. We knew this because he treated them like we all treat the things we treasure.
- Invest time in them.
- Protect them/keep them safe.
This made me think about the things I value. Where do I spend my time? What do I strive to protect?
When I was a baby mama, all of my waking hours (weren’t they ALL waking hours?) were spent caring for the children. I was on a mission to make sure our family was safe and healthy.
Of course, parenting was a worthwhile venture. I hope I’ve taught my boys some important things by example. Sometimes what to do, sometimes what not to do. And it seems pretty natural to treasure our children. They’re important to us and to God.
Now, I’m long past the toddler stage (thank you, sweet Jesus) and have only one son left to fly the coop. Teenagers definitely sleep more hours than infants, leaving me with some extra time to play with over here. What am I doing with it?
We’re told that where our treasure is, there we will find our heart. The two are tethered. Yikes! So the way I spend my minutes reflects the contents of my heart.
We are to be rich in good works, generous with our time and money, and ready to share.
This is cause for some serious reflection. God isn’t finished with us yet.
Listen, sister do you ever feel like your best years are behind you? Sometimes I do. But I’m learning that every season of life brings with it unique circumstances. And as long as He is giving us minutes, there are new opportunities.
Let’s do our best not to waste our days. Keep a watchful eye for every chance to love people. And who knows what you’ll find when you peer into the treasure chest of your heart.
♥ Tess
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21.
Those verses are such a good check in for me. I find that during this time it is easier to do this but times of testing will come again when we feel the need to compete with others, their stuff and their accomplishment. I so love the truth and so thankful you speak it out so gently but so powerfully
Amen! Times of testing will come again! Thankful for your encouragement today.
Amen! Times of testing will come again! Thankful for your encouragement today.