<%Tle%>

I went to this blog today and found out that Colleen ( a blog that I read) has passed away from Ovarian Cancer...she was diagnosed in September 2005.  My deepest sympathy to the family left behind to grieve. 

I read a verse on her blog that I have read many times in the bible...but for some reason it has struck a chord with me this evening.

Matthew 6: 19-21..."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.".....

Colleen's daughter wrote...(and I quote)..   "My mother has been such a treasure which I'm grateful I'll get to "lay up" in heaven. The Lord has blessed me with such a sweet and godly mother. Though it will be hard to not have her here with us on earth, what a joy it will be to join her in Paradise someday! "...Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5b

Wow, what wisdom from a daughter who obviously adores her mother and knows that someday she will be reunited with her in paradise...it makes one stop and think about their/our own mortality and the treasures I am storing in heaven. 

I do not want to store my treasures on earth.  I do not want to have so many things and put other things (less important things) ahead of my relationships with my Lord, my husband and my children.  What does it profit me to have a household full of ________(you/me fill in the blank) when it/they cannot be carried to eternity...holds no weight before God....can't bring one extra day of "true" joy. 

But I do know that the way I raise and love my children, my husband and practicing 1Cor 13:1-7...." If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  This is what my life is to be like...this is what I need to strive for...this is my prayer!

My treasures in heaven are quite simple I guess....I want my children to be in heaven...I want to show love no matter what (this is a hard one)...but according to the word of God...Love is the "Most excellent way to live".

Now don't get me wrong, I too love pretty things...antiques....going on holidays....sitting on my deck doing nothing....but at the end of the day....was I kind to my neighbour?  Did I show love and patience and forgiveness to my children?  Did I show grace to those around me?  So while having nice things and enjoying our life (which is a gift from the Lord),is important,  I need to make sure that Love shines through everything else....and believe you me, I'm still working on that "BIG TIME"...it doesn't come easy...but it's a daily surrendering those things to the Lord and asking him to give me LOVE generously...and He will.

Sorry in case this post sounded choppy....just not good at formulating my thoughts onto paper...I guess the bottom line is...the greatest thing that God is asking of me is to LOVE_______once again you/me fill in the blank for our own lives.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blessedmomof10
Connie,
What a wonderful post! I can't agree more - we are to treasure up things in heaven..... the things of this earth are really passsing..... it takes time sometimes to learn that and sometimes the Lord sends hard lessons our way to show is this. But it is so true!!

I am sorry to hear about your blogger friend, colleen. I am sure she will be missed.

Treasure the moments ,
gloria