Don't Hold Too Tightly

If you are anything like me, you feel that you aren't too materialistic. You don't need the biggest house, clothes that are in fashion, or every new gadget. Then the rubber meets the road. A few days ago when Jeremy, his brother Nathan, and I were traveling in the Sacramento area for a friend's wedding, my backpack and the GPS was stolen out of Nathan's locked car in the Target parking lot of an upscale neighborhood. Could this really be happening? I quickly checked the back seat and the trunk. It was, in fact, gone. Inside were precious possessions along with a few life necessities.

My Bible with all my notes, markings, and personal dents- gone. My prayer journal that has documented my prayer life for the past three years- gone. My journal with notes, scripture and life lessons- gone. My camera (which wasn't top quality by any means) with pictures not yet saved on my computer- gone. Books, clothes, Christmas presents, phone charger, mail, etc.....gone. In the fifteen minutes or less that I was in Target, someone grabbed a backpack that will have little worth to them but was valuable to me.

I'll admit that I was frustrated. After working with security that wasn't much help and trying to file a police report because of having personal information among my belongings, I was still frustrated. But as we climbed into the car to head to our friend's wedding reception, my heart changed from frustration and anger to conviction of my materialistic nature and to broken heartedness for the lost soul of the thief. All of the things that I lost on Saturday can be replaced, but there is someone with my Bible, journals, camera, etc. who is completely lost. My prayer is that he/she opens my Bible or even reads a little of my prayer journal, and that the Lord would use this to lead this person to a saving knowledge of Himself.

Together, Jeremy and I are reading through the one-year Bible. An excerpt from yesterday's reading was the encouragement and challenge I needed as I look back on this crazy weekend. I love how the Lord gives us perfect reminders in scripture at just the right time.

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. -Matthew 6:19-21

What are you holding too tightly to? Where are your treasures?

Though Saturday's events are not enjoyable to experience, the Lord lovingly uses seemingly bad situations to reveal Himself and His desire for our lives. May we look to Him as all we need and all we want.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."