Follow Your Heart Even to the Least

For Where Your Treasure Is

Our family is living in a small studio apartment right now while we are hoping and praying our home will sell in another state. The burden of paying for two living situations is becoming difficult, there is no privacy here, we’re sleeping on air mattresses that keep deflating and I’ve never been much of a camper. Last month I went back to our home that’s for sale to pack up some things, and one thing I realized was that after being away for 3 months with only a card table for furniture and deflated air mattresses, that a lot of these collected possessions didn’t seem as important as before. As I lay in bed last night I was thinking about my possessions packed in boxes as most of my family and friends know that I collect things and I pondered whether I had bought them because I thought I deserved them. I thought deeply about it and asked God to convict my heart, but no I did not believe I had bought them because I truly deserved them, I just like beautiful things and over time I had collected quite a bit. But is that okay? Hmm. I also thanked God for food, clothing and shelter but my mind is doubtful so I also asked God, “You feed the birds of the air and they do not sow or reap, so not to worry about what we will drink, what we will eat or what we will wear, but what about others who do not have these things?” “What about those who are still thirsty?” “Still hungry?” “Is keeping yourself warm by a burning trash can while your stomach growls provision?” “What about the unclothed?” “Is walking the streets at night with no where to go shelter?” But I’ve searched the scripture and do not find where God says that we will always be provided shelter “But you say do not worry and that you will provide drink, food and clothing?” “God I don’t understand.” “You tell us how you feed the birds and how much more important are we, but what about when the winds and rain come and blow the nest out of the tree?” But God’s eyes roam to and fro and He sees everyone and every situation. But the burden is great and I do not exactly how God wants me to help others. My husband came to bed and I shared this with him and he said to me “you have a compassionate heart,” and I replied “but faith without works is dead.”


I looked up this passage this morning where Jesus says the following:

Passage Luke 12:15-34:
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
23 For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.
24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
26 If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

So my treasure is to seek the kingdom of God. Not things. And for many that is difficult and I stand in the ranks of the many. No, our family is not materially rich, but to some we are, and to some we are poor. I have always told my son that there will always be those who have more that us and there will always be those who have less. Life is not equal. But what we have is meaningless to God. The Bible says “all nations” seek to have more. But it is all fruitless without God. God’s kingdom is above what our finite minds can comprehend in the provision of food, drink, clothing and what we can store away. Yes, life is the most important thing and having Jesus as our Savior and seeking God’s kingdom. His will is more than life itself. None of us know when our life will end but we can be ready. When people have passed away there have been families split over the deceased’ possessions. What were they really worth since in the end they may be savagely divided as if by wild dogs? Life is more important and you can’t truly live or have life without Jesus. Each person’s material possessions is a personal decision between them and God. I can judge no one. But I do have to be accountable for myself. Regarding what I said in the beginning, this verse just caught my eye and heart the most.

Luke 12:26 If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?

Now…what am I going to do with that?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

"Bad Mother"
Letter to a Friend


Hey girl! Have you heard about this book "Bad Mother?" I saw the author interviewed on the Morning Show this morning. It is about so many mothers who judge other mothers over so many things because they think "they" have it all together, that they are perfect mothers and have the best children, to make themselves feel better, make themselves superior or because they feel like a bad mother themselves and how the fathers don't have to measure up to these standards. I might have to get the book.

But what I wanted mainly to say as I watched this interview is that "YOU" are a "GOOD" mother. And ya know what?...so am I. I was never a soccer mom or have not done tons of community service although I have my own service between me and God along with convictions and it makes me proud when I hear my child tell me he made the right choice by helping another, my child isn't perfect, nor I or my family, but we care and even if we see some other mothers who seems to act perfect and have it all together it just ain't so. I love my child dearly and would protect him at all cost.

I've suffered with guilt for many years because I didn't have the "model" hospital delivery, I'm not the best cook...not by my choice, but my kid barely eats fruits and vegetables, I've cussed at my child, there were times I should have been there and was not. My child is not an honor roll student nor does he care but I give him incentives to make A, B and C's. I'm constantly tired...and the list goes on for every mother out there. But God knew I was mean't to be a mother even though the doctor said "you can't do it" because of depression and being off medication for a year. I will never be the perfect mom but who is?... but a lot of things I've done right...and I have relished the moments when my child has expressed "alright Mom!, "WOW Mom!" and "Super Mom!" and you know, somehow, not always in our time table, we pray our kids turn out alright. Some women may choose to believe they have it totally together and judge other mothers but they are only fooling themselves under the pressure to want to be perfect in others eyes...which really is just insecurity.

"YOU" my friend are an excellent mother, despite it all. I am too. And I love and miss you greatly.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

All my love. Your sister, Bev