Our Greatest Treasure

Our Greatest Treasure

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”

Psalm 16:1-2

What are some of your most cherished possessions? If you had to evacuate your home and could grab only three things to take with you, what would they be?

One of my favorite things is a shadow box I created. Inside is my favorite baby picture of my husband, some black-and-white photos from my grandfather and grandmother, and my grandma’s baby T-shirt from 1929. There are other “treasures” around my home—my children’s baby photos, marionettes I’ve collected from mission trips in the Czech Republic, a copy of my novel From Dust and Ashes that has been signed by many of the World War II veterans I interviewed. These treasures do not have large monetary value, but they have memories attached. Each represents relationships I cherish, none of which I’ve deserved or earned. Instead, they are gifts from God, as all good gifts are.

One of an Amish family’s greatest gifts is each other. They have no family photographs, no overseas vacation souvenirs. But they do have people who love them, people who fill their lives. More than that, their—and our—greatest gift is God Himself. He is our refuge and strength, and even if we lost everything else, we would still have Him. We’ll always have His love: “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

All our earthly possessions can turn to dust and ashes, but our treasure in eternity will never be taken away. No fire, no flood, no tornado can strip us of what’s most important. All else can be lost, but He is our greatest treasure. Let’s cling to that.

Dear heavenly Father, You are my greatest treasure. Nothing I have in heaven or earth compares to You. Thank You for all the good gifts You have given me—especially Yourself.