As a hunter-gatherer, I devote a lot of hours looking for things. I bet you do, too.
For example, I spend a significant portion of my time hunting for the choicest foods and supplies to feed my family and run my household. It’s not that I enjoy shopping; but it helps me fulfill one of the themes of my life: family.
I recently visited Lisa Burgess’ blog where she discussed the two themes of her life. Immediately, I decided the two for mine were faith and family. The vehicles I use to display the importance of these two themes in my life are writing and studying.
Speaking of vehicles, I had to hunt recently for a new vehicle. I was bummed that approximately 6 weeks of my free time – time I’d normally devote to writing and studying – were wasted by searching for vehicles, affordable financing, the right insurance rates, etc. Then I realized I WAS working toward my goals, my two themes. I have to have transportation to travel to church, to teach my bible class, to work and support my family, and chauffer us to all the family events. And I found a treasure! A vehicle that met my needs AND my budget. In this day and time, that is a major blessing. (Praise report: I asked God to help me find financing at a certain payment. He met my need and gave me a payment $10 less than I requested. He’s good like that.)
Do you know the two themes of your life? What treasures do you need to fulfill them?
Treasure Revealed
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure. Psalm 119:162 NKJV
My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you. Proverbs 7:1 NKJV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NKJV
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 NKJV
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
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Previous Post: Do You Want to Be Perfect and Complete?
This post was written in response to the prompt, “treasure,” given at the Five Minute Friday community. The body of the post was written in 5 minutes. Scriptures, pictures and headings took longer! You can read other great responses here.
Also, I’m sharing this post at the communities at Grace & Truth, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Tell His Story, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday
Such treasure – identifying your themes & finding a car & financing… God is good!
Thanks, Siv. I’m grateful God has blessed.
Such a cute little car. Love it when God blesses us like that.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Sandra. I feel it’s important to prainse when I get a blessing.
This is a such a good reminder that there is value in other things that require attention in our lives. Sometimes I fall into the trap that if what I’m doing doesn’t fall into a couple of categories (writing/reading my Bible/etc), then I’m wasting my time. I like the themes idea. Lisa’s post was wonderful, and I appreciate you giving a personal take on it here, too. I’ll have to think on that some more, because I can see how that might help with feeling like a time-waster. A lot of things are indirectly related to our focus and important; I can’t write a blog post without researching and creating my images for it and all the other things that go into it. Life is that way, too. Wonderful post today, Jerralea!
Thanks, Ashley! I found it such a paradigm shift. I had thought of interruptions as annoying and taking away from my goal. But now I see that sometimes those interruptions are helping me to fix something that will ultimately lead to my goal. Also, the journey to fulfilling goals is not linear like I wish. I often find the path to fulfilment resembles a twisty-turny grapevine!
I love so much how you combined your themes and your treasures, Jerralea. I hadn’t thought of it that way. One of the vehicles for my themes is reading books. I’ll be featuring your post this week at the Grace & Truth linkup at my blog!
Lisa, thank you so much! And thank you for sharing about your themes in your post because right away it resonated with me. Sometimes we just need to identify our callings.
That car is so cute! May it bless you, your family, and those you serve in the days ahead!
Thank you, Joanne! What a great way to look at the blessing a vehicle really is – it helps me serve!
I appreciate your insight that some tasks do help us meet our overall goals and might not be a waste of time. It’s a good reminder to take our thoughts captive and to give thanks in all things. Cute car!
Thanks, Lisa. It was an eye-opener to realize the mundane stuff actually leads towards my goals!
You have reminded that seeing how all that we do is connected to a larger picture (or our why) brings harmony into our hearts and minds. I find it so much easier to not beat oneself up over what one does with time! Even watching a good movie can be part of the process in our next steps of learning. Enjoy your new vehicle!
I know, right? It is so easy to beat one’s self up. I’ve been learning I have to fill my tank, so sometimes productivity is not what’s needed. Enjoyment is!
Lovely story. I like the way you made that “wasted” time part of your story, and part of your gift of grace. I’m reminded of one of my favourite verses, “the stone that was rejected has become the cornerstone” (Ps 118:22).
(Visiting from LisaNotes.)
Jerralea, I love this. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Thanks for dropping by, Paula!
What a great way to look at the necessary time and research to buy something like a car. I love hearing how God provided.
Yes! My daughter thought we were being too picky and would never find anything but I told her I believe God wants to bless me with the right car at the right price. And He did!
Thanks for visiting, Barbara!