GOLD
At the end of class, one of my freshmen turned around when I was assisting a student nearby and admired my bracelet. After a break in my conversation with the girl behind him, Chuy asked if my bracelet was made of gold.Stopping to grin and chuckle a bit, I reminded him that I raised six children. That is where most of my money went after rent, house payments, utilities, and groceries. There just wasn't money left over for even luxuries like sodas, snack food, or eating out much less for buying anything gold.
"Right now, the only gold I wear is my engagement ring and wedding band. That's all the gold that I need, really," smiling as I replied.
He flashed me his ready smile, but his furrowed brow at the end hinted that he was still wondering.
I imagine these days a lot of people think that gold is something to stockpile. In an attempt at security in a volatile world, they calm their fears by possessing as much as they can.
I spoke to one man from Vietnam, who told me that people there exchange their paper money to gold each month after payday because they have seen the economic system fail so often; paper money became worthless, leaving many broke.
Driving home from work this thought struck me: my children and grandchildren are my true gold. I invested my life, time, savings, and heart by sowing seeds of love, praying, and spending time with them. My hope was that they would grow into the thoughtful, hard-working individuals that they have become.
What do I have in return? Pure joy. My heart is full and running over whenever I spend time with one of these precious ones that God granted me time with over the years.
As an empty-nester, my daughters and sons have grown up, and they've gone out upon their journeys, but I see the glitter and luster in the way they approach life, speak into their sons and daughters and touch the lives of others nearby. Who could ask for more?
Matthew 6:19-21 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.[a] 20 Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures[b] for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. 21 For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.[c]
