HIDDEN TREASURES

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."


"Oh Mom! Really, for me?" She unloaded a glistening radio flyer bicycle from your truck. I was the most excited eight-year-old on the block! I jumped on, started to pedal, fast . . . I could see . . farther than my front yard! Aahh, the wind in my hair, the cool of sprinkler water hitting my face. Dogs barked as I whizzed by. It was magical. My mom scored big on this treasure!

Have you ever found a treasure? Treasures are meant to be uncovered and valued. The word "treasure" means riches accumulated or something of high value. Some treasures are material, like my radio flyer. Others are hidden. They are hidden, because some have yet to uncover their value. These treasures cannot be bought with money, but are of greater worth. Hidden treasures impact our lives. Treasures like: friendship, forgiveness, and family.

Matthew 6:21 tells us "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." While this passage is telling us we cannot serve both God and money, there is an underlying principle to be taken away: what we value most is what we will invest in. Our priority should be to invest in eternal things not earthly temporal things. The treasures we value are reflected in our lives. Our behavior demonstrates our beliefs. What do we value? What do we cherish? Do our lives reflect the treasures we say we value most?

I found a hidden treasure in April of 1993 as a 17 year old. Raised by my step-dad, I grew up never knowing my biological father. Deep within my heart was the desire to meet and know this man.

After a failed attempt at locating him in the phone book, my mom and I made a trip to the Social Security Office. With very limited personal information, they too, were unable to locate my father. I was crushed, unable to accept, I would never meet my dad, my treasure.

The following week I went to my mom's work after softball practice. Leaning across the teller window she tells me, "I posted an ad in the classified section of the Register Guard newspaper in search of your dad. I could only put his first initial and last name because we don't have his permission to put his whole name in the paper." The ad read, "J. Helmig - Anyone knowing him or his whereabouts please call collect 503-836-2607". I looked around, checking to see if other customers were able to hear this LUNACY. I stood in silence. Then, I FLIPPED OUT! "The Classifieds! What are the odds?!! Are you KIDDING me Mom?!!!"

Finding my Father in a newspaper ad is like finding a quarter in the Pacific Ocean. What I did not know, is two days later, my dad's mother had called our number, inquiring about the ad, thinking it was for a class reunion. Imagine her shock when my grandma was greeted by my mom who says, "Hi Shirley, my name is Barbara. Your son Jack and I had a daughter 17 years ago." She welcomed me with loving and open arms. As her only grandchild, she found her hidden treasure. ME.

The next morning, sound asleep, I awoke to, "Hester get up your Dad Jack is on the phone" . . "My what? Who is on the phone?!" Stumbling out of bed I made my way to my mom's room and slumped to the floor. Arms shaking and heart racing, I said, "Hello". At the sound of his voice I knew my hidden treasure had been found. We made plans to meet at my state softball tournament.

Tournament day arrived. Nervous to meet my dad and be in the state tournament, I watched as people entered our field. Fresh cut grass lingered in the air. My coach was giving a last minute pep-talk. But I kept looking. Then, I spotted him, wearing a bright yellow t-shirt. In big bold letters was the word SMILE. My dad. MY TREASURE. Hidden no more. I felt as if I had found an oasis in a sun-scorched desert. Our eyes met. We embraced. We cried.

Uncovering the worth of my Dad is my hidden treasure. The relationship we share, enriches and impacts my life.

Have you discovered your hidden treasures? I believe you will find like I did that true treasures transcend this world.

Friends, knowing what you value reflects what you treasure. What you treasure, determines how you live. GO, DISCOVER, CHERISH YOUR HIDDEN TREASURES!




Heart Work:
What are your three most valuable treasures? How can you live to reflect what you treasure? In a culture that consumes worldly treasures, how can we be intentional to value what matters most?

Heart Examination:
What reveals your values? What treasures do you cherish? Why are eternal treasures of more worth than earthly treasures? Are you investing in the right treasures?

Heart Changing Word:
Matthew 6:21 (NIV) "For where your treasure is there your heart will be also."






Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.