Living On The Edge

When my daughter was about 3 years old, my husband, Michael, created a special treasure hunt for us on Valentine's Day. He hid small candies throughout our home for us to search for. This treasure hunt became a tradition and has become a Valentine's Day highlight every year.

The hidden candies are fairly easy to find at first, but it gets harder and harder to find them after the most visible ones are found. Michael hides some of the candies in such concealed places that we never find all of them on Valentine's Day. Part of the joy of the hunt is that we continue to find the candies unexpectedly during the days and months ahead.

Tonight, I realized that our anticipated Valentine treasure hunt is very much like life. When things are going smoothly in life, it is easy to see and enjoy the treasures. But during the difficult seasons, it can be a tedious thing to find and focus on the treasures. They have to be tirelessly sought after because they are hidden. But it is the hidden treasures that are truly the most valuable. Without the storms, I don't believe I would have ever discovered the priceless treasures of life.

In January of 2006, Michael's graphic design business was suffering and coming to an end. This gave our family the opportunity to look for treasures in the midst of adversity. On Valentine's  Day that year, we had very little money and we knew we couldn't buy gifts and cards like we had done in previous years. We decided to make hand-made cards for each other instead of giving presents and store bought cards. These cards were so special. I knew we would look forward to designing our hand-made cards every year.

While sitting at our table for dinner tonight, I opened my cards from my family. Each year the cards are more meaningful to me. They are irreplaceable, something that money can't buy. My husband's card had a huge heart on it, symbolic of the love that has grown in our marriage. My daughter's card was filled with pictures and words that symbolize all that God has done in my heart. My son's card had "Prophetic Words" that sum up my life: "Remember a Rainbow comes after a storm. This is How you reach your Heart's goal." On the front of the card was a colored picture of a rainbow, a storm, and a heart in the middle with a sword stuck in it. As I embraced the words and the love expressed through each of these cards, tears flooded my eyes. And I thanked God for the storms He allows in my life and the blessing of "Valentine Treasures."

Matthew 13:44- "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field..." NIV

I Timothy 6:6-7, - " But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." NIV

I Timothy 6: 17- "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy." NAS

I Timothy 6:19- "In this way they will lay up TREASURE for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is TRULY life." NIV

May you find life's richest treasures.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Amy

• Main
• archives
• Albums
• Links
• Admin
• Send us a story!

• I Still Believe
• A Jewel
• Beauty amongst the Weeds
• My Dwelling Place
• 08 * 08 * 08
• A Story Unfolding
• Love Never Fails
• Faith

• General [32]

• RSS 0.90
• RSS 1.0
• RSS 2.0
• Atom