Treasures...

Tonight we had a women's event at church which we have every Spring and Christmas. It was called Treasure Trading. We invited people to bring their "treasures" that they didn't need anymore or didn't end up using. Then after a time of browsing calmly, it turned into a free for all! People took all kinds of things...I took a box of perfectly cut wooden blocks (because I think they will make great kindling around the campfire this summer), a box of unopened whole wheat pasta, a digital camera for Mason (he's been saving for this so he can take his own pics this summer when we go to Yellowstone), some scrapbook stuff, some red advent candles, and a nice tupperware... Really random. But fun! The remainder of the stuff will go to garage sales for certain fundraisers like Kara's and mine next week for our adoption funds.

It was fun to see what people took away as their treasures. I feel like I got some fun things, but really, it made me so happy to see my real treasures there. My mom came and worked SO HARD. I'm thankful for a mom who is a hard worker. She has been a good example to me in life. Thanks mom! And a good number of the gals putting this event on were some of the truest and dearest friends in the world. 

I am so thankful for them. They make me want to be a better person, to be a more submissive and loving wife, a diligent mother, a thoughtful friend, and a hard worker. More times than I wish to admit, I have learned that my attitudes were not right from these friends who loved me enough to point them out. They accept me with all my faults. They pray for me. We have fun together an occasionally laugh so hard we cry! How I love them. I have never experienced such a group of God-centered women as these. I am so thankful to know them. 

I am praying that my kids will someday experience this kind of friendship. It takes work to get together, vulnerability to go deeper, humility to accept difficult truths and forgiveness to overlook small offenses, but the relationships are so wonderful to have. 

But, even with all this blessing, I know that even my best friends and family may let me down at some point(as I'm sure I will them). And my true treasure must be stored up in heaven. With God. In things that will not rust or be destroyed or stolen. My time needs to be invested in things that will last forever. I truly believe that this is not my home. My true citizenship is in heaven. I am just a visitor here temporarily. 

I'm thankful God gave me a husband who is a minimalist. There are times I would love to decorate my home and make it beautiful, and to have the most stylish clothes and deck out the kids in the most adorable fashions, but it's all so empty. I know that. But I still struggle from time to time with what other people think of me and how we live.  I am learning to be more content as each day goes by that I have been given absolutely everything I need and much more. I don't want to get too comfortable here. I know God wants to give us gifts and enjoys watching us enjoy something He's given us just like we enjoy watching our kids open a gift we have given them. But I do want to maintain an eternal perspective while we live our lives here as the ambassadors of a heavenly kingdom. I want to share Christ with my kids and with those around me and tell them how great this future life of ours is and will be when we follow Him with our whole heart. 

Matthew 6:20-21 

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 you treasure is there your heart will be also.

Looking up, 

Becky