Treasures in Heaven

"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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

As I have said many times before, I learn some of my most valuable life lessons from my children.

One lesson Alex has taught me over and over again is Matthew 6. Not to store up our treasures on earth, but in Heaven.

Growing up we were always taught to take care of our things. To be careful not to break anything and if we did, we got in trouble.

So naturally I carried the same thought process into adulthood. I took very good care of my things and I had them for many years.

I never had a problem with this or thought much about it until I had Alex.

Michael was always a very gentle child and because I took care of my things, he also took care of his. You may think this is a good thing, but there is nothing good about a child being devastated over a broken toy.

Our children do watch us, they see what is important to us and how we react to it. Without even realizing it, I was teaching Michael that toys and knick knacks are important. Ugh!!!

Alex is the exact opposite. There is nothing gentle about him and he could break a toy and not even be phased by it.

He doesn't mean to be, but he is just a bull in a china shop.

When Alex was about two, God spoke to me very clearly. I had this beautiful green ceramic frog that I loved very much and I had had for a long time.

In one second, Alex dropped a sippy cup on it and it broke into pieces.

I was so upset.

I wasn't upset at Alex because I knew it was an accident. I was upset that the frog was broken.

God works everything together for the good of those who love Him and He showed me how much I loved my "treasures" and that they held no eternal value whatsoever.

He showed me the value of the "treasure" holding the sippy cup and his brother standing next to him saying "he did it".

These are treasures with eternal value that God has given me.

These are the children with a childlike faith that we saw present the Gospel tonight. These are the children that I don't ever want to do anything to hinder their relationship with Jesus and putting value in a knick knack will certainly do just that.

So as much as I like my "prettys", most of which are super glued or have parts taped together, I know they are just that...pretty.

They are replaceable or even better yet, I can live without them.

Thank You Lord for these life lessons and for the childlike faith you are growing in me daily!!

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4