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

Monday madness

After a day off, I hate Mondays. Chaos strikes! though it's always unpredictable what the extra work will entail before I can get to my studies. This week, I'm in hardcore study mode for an exam Wednesday, so I'm ready to hop to it.

Except. Nope. This morning, the dogs have pooped in their crate, so instead of sending them out to potty and getting to work, I have to clean the crate, toss the crate bedding in the laundry, and shower the dogs. I leave one animal outside while I carry the first up and wash him. Then I carry the second up for warm, soapy "punishment." Good thing they don't mind grooming, because I'm mad enough to give them a vigorous cleaning and towel-drying. They shake and run off down the hall, happy to be clean. Restart the washer. (I forgot. Dog towels get washed with dog bedding.)

A friend is bringing lunch for Kirsten, but when I go into the kitchen to grab tea and breakfast, the dirty tablecloth is still on the table from Sunday lunch, the counter is greasy, and there are assorted items lying around. Another half hour... gone.

It's so good to be under the care of the Creator of Time. Christian theology says God can redeem every part of our past, present and future. Nothing is wasted, but this morning feels pretty close.

Monday mornings remind me that not even a minute belongs to me. I relinquish the Sabbath to God, trusting him for rest. Then it's Monday again. Outa control. I think, "I wish I had worked harder on Sunday, etc." Then I tell myself, don't go there. The tablecloth may have been washed and returned to the table, the counters may have gleamed, but something would have been lost in the process. What that would be––besides a lack of unexpected chores––is unclear this morning!

I appreciate the balance of scripture, and reading the prayer below, I whisper, "Thank you God, because you are in control (I'm obviously not!) and everything will go as you have purposed. I will have time enough to pass (or fail), but it won't be because I didn't try my best."

Lord have mercy. On the challenges of your day and mine.

Read more:
*We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:20–22

*You brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God. Jonah 2:6

*Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15

Moravian Prayer: The Gospel is your gift, O Savior - the good news of your deliverance from despair. We are astonished that you do this for us who often fail to be faithful to you. We give you thanks throughout this day. Amen.