Where Is My Treasure

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

It's all too easy to be guided by our heart's desires.  At different times in my life I have filled my treasure box with these desires and things I've treasured. These things have been most important in my life: friends, romantic relationship, successful career, finances, children, my husband.  At some time they've all taken a first priority seat. Some of these things are good things. I've desired for a successful career as a single mom so I could take care of my son and provide for him. I've desired for a good man to marry, to be a father to my son.  I've desired a good marriage, happiness for me and him. I've desired the best for my children, to be a good mom to them. But when any of these good things take priority over the One who is good over all and God over all, then I've made these good things my god. I've desired good things for the wrong reasons. God always provides for us. God is a good Father to us.  My satisfaction is in God alone.  Happiness is not always good.  Growth is sometimes painful. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can imagine, even through our mistakes as a parent, and even in a marriage that seems hopeless.   

My children are a gift from God. In fact, they belong to Him and are on loan to me. It's easy to love our children unconditionally, isn't it?  Even when they're not so loveable. When their behavior is a challenge, it's easier to love them well when I remember that they are sinners in need of grace, just like I am a sinner in need of grace. This helps me to respond with love rather than harsh discipline. Oh, there have been times I've failed to remember this. And that's why I'm in need of a Savior.  My Father makes all things right in my humility and repentance. I can also be a good mother to my children by loving their dad, my husband. Being an example of a good wife to my children. Modelling a good marriage to my children.  This means putting my husband first. It doesn't mean I love my husband more than my children. I love my children, therefore I love my husband.  And my husband is a gift from God, just like my children are a gift from God.  He has entrusted me with loving my husband well and loving my children well. I cannot be a good wife to my husband and love him well if I don't love God first.  It is God's love for me and in me that helps me to love my husband well.  Notice I say to love him 'well'.  It's easy to love him when he's loving me, but on the days he is not so loveable, it helps me to remember that he's a sinner in need of grace, just as I am, just as our children are. God loves me when I am not so loveable. In fact, he is full of grace and mercy when I'm not so loveable. Many times I have been humbled when I've behaved like a spoiled child and yet God has been gracious toward me.  Or I've been unfaithful to Him, and yet he gently calls me back to Himself and holds me close.  He fills my heart to overflowing with His love for me.  He has loved me when I don't deserve it.  

I want my priorities in my life to be what God wants them to be:  God, my husband, my children,  our extended family, friends....in that order. If I'm making God my first priority, I'm telling Him I trust Him with everyone and everything in my life. I want my heart to be first with God. I want to sincerely say He is my treasure, and I love Him with all of my heart, soul and mind.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47  Help me, Lord, to remember that I have been forgiven much so I can love much.  I want to love like you do.