I recently sent my children on a nature scavenger hunt. I wish I could say I was one of those Pinterest homeschool moms who had it planned as part of our nature-lap book-botany-unit study for biology, or something equally as grand. But the reality is that we are staying in our travel trailer a lot recently (as Allen is speaking in some of our supporting churches) and 6 people in a 350 square foot space sometimes gets a little… shall we say… confining? So… I quickly wrote up some things to find in nature, gave the kids a pen, a bag, and a list, and said “Go!” Oh—I also promised them chocolate if they found everything.

I was really just looking for something healthy for them to do while I washed the dishes (without having to dry my hands every 4 seconds to attend to an “emergency”), but God had more for me—a peek into my children’s hearts. You see, one of the items on the list was “Something you think is a treasure”. What would they find in nature that they would treasure?

Their findings were as different as they are. One of them brought me a flower that she thought looked like a beautiful butterfly. The other 3 brought me rocks of various kinds. One rock was believed to be turquoise, which could be sold for money; money being the real treasure. One rock was just a beautiful rock truly treasured by my son. And the last rock was picked quickly because the real treasure to this child was the chocolate waiting when the list was finished. Different kids. Different treasures. It got me to thinking about treasure. We all know what the world has to say about treasure, but the Bible says…

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

What do I treasure that is eternal? I treasure my relationship with God, of course, and I treasure my family! Allen’s grandmother died this week. We are heartbroken at the loss, and we will miss her greatly. But while on this earth for nearly 89 years, she stored up much treasure in heaven! She was a godly woman who gave us a lasting legacy of righteousness, all because she trusted in Christ alone for salvation, and lived her life for Him in gratitude for it.

This Sunday, as we celebrate the resurrection of our amazing Savior, I am reminded of the most amazing treasure there ever could be – that Jesus Christ loved me enough to pay the penalty for my sin with His death, and that death could not hold Him!

Grandma gets to celebrate in the presence of Jesus this week, and I’m a little jealous…