Our Treasures

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Matthew 6:19-21

We have been clearing out the clutter in our home for over a year now. Bit by bit we have been emptying drawers and closets, clearing out stuff that had accumulated over the years. Things that had a purpose in past years but now is no longer used. I'm nor sure it's our age or the "season" we are in but I have felt the need to minimize our "stuff". It's been a slow process, frequently interrupted by life events.

My friend moved last summer and as she was packing, she told me how amazed she was over all the "stuff" she had accumulated and a little convicted about everything they had accumulated over the years. I can surely identify, where was I storing MY treasure and why do I hang on to the things that I do?

We have been steadily cleaning things out, and have piles of things ready for donation. Our youngest even helped by going through some of his belongings over the holidays. We still have a long ways to go, a fact that was only too apparent following a trip to make my in laws house secure.

Talk about a situation that demonstrated a scripture. We were at the house to change the locks so thieves would not steal these earthly treasures. It was a stark reminder to me at how unimportant these "things" are we put value in are, they are gone now. On the other hand it all represented a flood of memories.

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having things, that's not at all what I am saying. It is a heart attitude, we must be good stewards to what the Lord has given us and invest in things that have eternal value. One  day we will leave all these things on earth behind.

Oh to remember to invest in things that are eternal.

Monday's Memories

The last couple of weeks have been full of memories as we've been trying to secure paperwork. While sorting we have come across tons of photos and this was one I though was worthy of posting today. The toddler in the photo s my first born, now a grown man with four children of his own, and the man beside him is my husband. We were a family of three just starting to navigate the parenthood thing. We were so young and had so much to learn. Our roles have changed but the learning never stops.

The photo below was taken while on a vacation to celebrate our 35th anniversary. Sons were both grown and we were vacationing solo for the first time.

I mentioned that the last several weeks have been memory filled. I expect that's going to continue for quite some time. Today I wanted to stop and honor my sweet husband on his birthday and thank the Lord for letting us walk this life together, the good, and the not so good. He is a man of God who seeks the Lord, a loving husband and father and a fun and loving Pop Pop. He is my go to guy when anything needs to be fixed, high things need to be reached or bugs need to be squished. I think he can fix just about anything (he tends to disagree) One of the qualities he has that I love is that he doesn't take himself too seriously, I am the more reserved in this relationship, so we make a great match.. Our lives have changed over the years, from newlyweds to young parents to parents of teens to empty nesters. From active duty military to retiree to working in the civilian sector. My husband has served and continues to serve our family well and in so many ways. I am thankful to the Lord for him and want to wish him a very Happy Birthday

Thankful Thursday

Life has been so full these last few weeks. We've had expected and unexpected events fill our days this month and in our attempt at getting through these days I have lost track of the time. Can it really be the middle of February already? Instead of giving a running account of events, let me instead list the things I can be thankful for today.

Safe travels on wintery roads. We've made two trips to the mountains in the last couple of weeks. The first trip we drove through some terrible icy roads, there were accidents all around us, we were protected. This week, after a failed first attempt to leave town (our car couldn't make it up the snow covered hills) we were finally able to head back south. After we had gotten out of town my husband suggested prayer because the roads and weather ahead were questionable, I started praying and texted others to do the same. I am thankful for the prayers of others and thankful that we were able to get home safely

I am thankful for my sweet friend who thought lunch and a trip to Hobby Lobby would be a great distraction for me. Our times together are always ones of encouragement, she lets me talk then reminds me of truth, I do the same for her.

I am thankful for the community of believers God has knit us into.

I am thankful for good test results.

I am thankful for my handy guy who is painting and fixing my downstairs bathroom...I can't remember who's bright idea it was to start that project....might have been me, but I thankful he is so willing to complete it.

I am thankful for our Sweet Lady. The world would say she was disabled, but the Lord uses her to teach me things all the time. She has a gentle spirit and is a delight to everyone she calls friend.(which is everyone)  She makes me laugh and humbles me with her attitude, she is a delight.

I am thankful for a praying husband. Last summer my husband was asked if he was going to continue as a community group leader. He prayed about it, but never had peace about continuing so he said no. Initially he wondered if he had made the right decision, there were some that expected him to continue. Looking at what life looks like right now there is no question he made the right decision.

How about you, can you think of something you have to be thankful about today?