Our Greatest Treasures

For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. – (Matthew 6:21, NIV)

Your heart will be where your treasure is. – (Matthew 6:21, ERV)

The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. – (Matthew 6:21, MSG)

The older I get, the more I find that my treasure is in God and all that He has made. Stuff is just stuff, but salvation, relationships, people, pets, and community are truly the greatest gifts we have been given. When I focus my time and energy on Him and those that He has placed in my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, not want. The things that matter to me are not ones of monetary value, but rather are either gifts or reminders of those who matter most. I understand now why photos have always been so important to my mom. Each snapshot is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in a moment in time that was captured. To look at the images is to be reminded that God is good. May we ever look to the Lord with thanksgiving and seek Him to help keep our priorities in order so that our treasures are eternal, and not temporary.

Lord, help us treasure,

That which is from You;

Life and creation,

Eternity too.

May our hearts choose hold,

All of our lives through;

Treasures from heaven,

That point us to You.

Show us Your own heart,

All that matters most;

Lead us in Your love,

Through grace, peace and hope.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our greatest treasure and that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Forgive us for the times that we have been more concerned with stuff than with that which matters eternally. Teach us to have a heart after You. Lead us in Your love so that we would treasure You and Your created, as these are the things that last. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize our greatest treasures are found in You and from You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18

Where Treasure Lies

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – (Luke 12:34, NIV)

Your heart will be where your treasure is. – (Luke 12:34, ERV)

Where you deposit your treasure, that is where your thoughts will turn to – and your heart will long to be there also. – (Luke 12:34, TPT)

 

My heart, as I have discovered more deeply than ever before, is for God and people. Each morning, my priority continues to be to seek the Lord and spend time in His word to set the tone for the day. What I miss most in this time of “stay at home”, is the ability to get out and be with people whom I enjoy most. I think many of us took for granted, and we are now finding out, how much we truly treasure the luxury of navigating a “normal” day among a vast array of individuals. My time with my husband and children has been really good, and I am grateful for the time together that would likely not have occurred otherwise; yet I struggle with the sedentary staying in place, when I am accustomed to walking about campus before school, during my planning, at lunch, and when the school day closes. Each walk about would result in friendly exchanges with different staff members and students, that I value and enjoyed each day. Now, I am often seated in silence for hours at a time, as I attempt to navigate the new, eagerly waiting for the next collaborative Zoom meeting, so that I will see and work together with my friends and colleagues. My boys are present in my work space with me until their work for the day is complete, then they disappear to do their own thing, while the other two members of our household are essential workers, and spend their days away from home. All this to say, though I was intentional most of the time to say hello or at least smile and wave to people as I passed by, I imagine that I will treasure the freedom to do so all the more when the stay at home orders are lifted. In the meantime, I will look for ways to reach out and connect with people as they come to mind, and continue to lean on the Lord for strength and sanity. May we all place our treasure in the gifts of people whom God has given us, and in the Giver Himself.

 

May we seek treasure,

Things of the most worth;

Not things, but people,

Greatest gifts on earth.

Love God and people,

The greatest command;

Purpose intended,

What the Lord had planned.

For what we value,

Where our hearts are found;

Let’s choose what matters,

So good may abound.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us where our treasures lie, as we look at what has our time, attention and affection. Thank You that You treasure people first, and show us how to do the same. Forgive us for the times that our priorities get out of order, and we set aside what matters most. Teach us to seek You first in all things, so that we may live and love according to Your perfect plan. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your goodness and grace tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You first so that we may love You and love those around us in the same way that You love us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27

Make It So

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – (Matthew 19:26, NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “This is something that people cannot do. But God can do anything.” – (Matthew 19:26, ERV) 

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, no one. But with God, everything is possible.” – (Matthew 19:26, TLB)

 

Typically, I am a faith-filled realist, that sees the hope. I look at what is, but trust in what shall be. This week, my world has been shaken like never before. Yes, I know that God is good and that He has us, but if I can be real and raw with you – this sucks! My mom is the matriarch of our family, a rock, a love, willing to go anywhere, do anything, and friend and confidant to all whom she meets. To know her is to love her. For my sister and I, we have had to battle frustration and anger, as people love her and want to waltz into the hospital to see her, as if they have known her forever. Sadly, if we don’t know them and mom is uncertain of who they are based on their name, it adds too much frustration for her, and our protective instincts want to build a fortress around her to keep everyone she has not called by name, out, until she is ready to receive guests. I know it is not her nature to have a closed door. One of her greatest gifts is hospitality. That being said, it is hard to be hospitable in the hospital… For now, we are limiting visits to immediate family and those whom we consider “framily” (such long-standing friends that they have become family). Please, those who love mom, be patient, we so appreciate your love and support, and covet your prayers the most right now.

On to the update many have been waiting to hear. First, we are witnessing miracles; daily. Yesterday, mom moved her right arm! Granted, it was slight and not likely a conscious decision, but her arm moved on more than one occasion, which means that the connections are firing. This is very, very good! Additionally, her speech and word recall are continuing to improve. There is marked improvement from morning to afternoon, and one day to the next. The more relaxed she is, the easier words come. The second miracle is that she has been accepted into the best acute care facility in Washington State. We are not yet certain of the when (though we anticipate the end of the week or the weekend), but we are so grateful to know the where. It is in close proximity to me, so I will be spending much time with mom in the coming months on her road to recovery. Once released, the plan is to have her transition to my sister’s house, as it is already able to accommodate potential needs on a single level.

God is good and He makes what is impossible for us, possible. Please continue to contend with us for our mom, as God is far greater than a stroke.

 

Impossible blows,

A celebration in the park after Mom’s first tennis tournament win with her parents ❤

The dashing of dreams;

How do we press on,

What does it all mean?

Questions aren’t too big,

Our God doesn’t mind;

His grace is greater,

For love’s what we find.

Plenty provided,

All that we shall need;

His arms surrounding,

As we let Him lead.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

That You are enough;

For in our own strength,

We are not that tough.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your kindness and provision in this dark and scary space. Thank You for surrounding us with loving and knowledgeable people who help point us in the direction You are leading, and for opening the doors You intend. Prepare the way, even now, for where mom is going next. Prepare the hearts of every staff member, doctor, nurse, specialist, volunteer, friend and family member who comes near, so that we will best know how to encourage and build her up. May her positivity, and ours, be a witness to those who do not know You yet, pointing them to a lasting relationship with You. Keep discouragement and depression far from her. Bring full healing and restoration, we pray. Forgive us for our impatience. Please God, give us our strong, vibrant, active mom back to us, fully restored as she so desperately wants to be. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Summon Your power, God; show us Your strength, our God, as You have done before. – Psalm 68:28

 

 

The Fullness of Grace

Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – (John 1:16, NIV)

Yes, the Word was full of grace and truth, and from Him we all received one blessing after another. – (John 1:16, ERV)

And now out of His fullness we are fulfilled! And from Him we receive grace heaped upon more grace! – (John 1:16, TPT)

 

The grace of God has been evident from the beginning of time. When Jesus came for the forgiveness of all who seek Him, grace was made all the more perceptible. Grace is the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. (dictionary.com) Often, I find myself in awe of God’s grace that is provided in visible and tangible ways. Obviously, the greatest gifts of grace have come through life, love and salvation. However, the grace of God is granted in small and seemingly insignificant ways as well. Yesterday, I had a dental appointment to take care of a few small fillings. I was dreading the appointment, and wished very much, that I could just cancel it. It is not the dentist, as he and his staff are wonderful, but rather that my mouth does not stay numb through and entire procedure – EVER. Feeling the drill grind on nerves in my teeth is one of my least favorite sensations. After arriving at the office and getting seated, the sweet receptionist looked at me, looked at her computer screen, and said, “We don’t seem to have you on the schedule today.” In both joy and disbelief, I let her know that I was just fine with that. Though I had it in my calendar, which I only enter on the spot, in the office, to be certain I record the correct information for appointments, somehow, it did not get entered on their end. Not only did I not need to stay for a procedure, she actually handed me a Starbucks gift card for my “trouble”. It truly was NO trouble. Anyway, for me, this series of small things that transpired in a span of mere moments, were sweet gifts of grace. Yes, I realize that I will still need to have that sort of appointment, however, for yesterday, the time returned to my day, (and the bonus coffee) were evidence of God’s goodness and grace that is given when we need it the most. I was tired and in need of rest, and ended up having time to come home and relax for a while before preparing dinner and the usual evening routine. May we ever be aware of the grace upon grace given by God, as His love for us is made evident, individually.

 

God, in His goodness,

Created all things;

And then sent His Son,

Great love offering.

Always there was grace,

And with Jesus, more;

Love tangibly shown,

Through Him we adore.

May we be aware,

Of the grace You give;

Extending our praise,

Each day that we live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace. Thank You that You love us in ways that show us Your loving kindness. Forgive us for missing the moments of grace that You give us throughout our day, or for failing to recognize Your goodness being granted in great and small ways. Teach us to trust You more, so that we are ever aware of Your freely given, unmerited favor and love throughout all of our days. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend Your goodness and grace, and make Your love evident. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank and praise You for the countless ways that You love us and grant us grace each day. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me? – Psalm 116:12