Your personal treasure hunt

Roman treasure coins

What’s your greatest treasure?

Without deliberation, what popped into your head?

·      A person?

·      A possession?

·      An experience?

·      A memory?

·      A future goal?

·      Or ?

“Time,” was my first thought.

Today is the 59^th wedding anniversary of my parents, Art and Adeline. Since childhood, I’ve admired their respect for each other, their devotion to God, and their care for others – especially family. They’ve had different jobs, volunteered in churches and education, but always centered their lives on home and church. Congratulations, Mom and Dad! for time spent together, loving God and each other.

W is spending a week with Kirsten in Austin, looking for a home for her. I’m SO excited that they have time together. One son and his wife are back to work, enjoying evenings and weekends together. Another is alone while his wife recovers at my folks’ place. The youngest is home, probably in his last summer of “student-hood” and relaxation before adult life and work grabs him.

And I? I’m splurging on refreshing and renewal. I don’t turn on the lights at night, letting sundown determine when I sleep. Too dark to read? Must be time for rest. Bright light? Must be time to wake and stir.

View from friends' screen tent

I skip rope for a bit, then take the dogs for a 2-mile walk, mailing one item a day from the local post office. We walk through the tiny lobby, pop the mail into the slot, and walk out back to camp. Then it’s time for brunch. Or reading. Or cleaning a space. Or sitting. Or visiting. Or walking. Or blogging.

Each day is full of options. It flies by without a schedule, without any demands. Friends are coming to stay in a guestroom this weekend and perhaps beyond, but they have their own agendas. Other friends have come on the grounds and we’ll have supper together some evening. Their kids walk the dogs or chatter as they head for the park. Before I know it, it’s time to connect with family on the phone … and then it’s sundown.

Rail tracks shifted in an earthquake

Time. Alone or with others. The minutes and hours and days are precious gifts from God our Father. In misery, they seem endless. In joy, they speed by like tumbleweeds on a prairie, hesitating on the odd memory or event. And not one is truly ours to control.

Enjoy the day, whatever your treasure.

Read more: 

*Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3   NIV 

*O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV