Treasure

Hannah has grown so much since that picture was taken.  Obviously, she is physically much more mature and is a beautiful, young lady of 14, nearly 15.  Way too tall…it’s ridiculous!!  Mentally, she is every bit of the quick-witted teenager who is quickly learning Spanish.  However, the growth that is most important has been the spiritual growth.  

It has been a pleasure to serve along side her on some short-term mission trips as well as in some other capacities.  She is by no means perfect and God is still stripping away some things, however, there has been some awesome growth spiritually.  She reads her Bible on her own and seeks out Godly friends who are pursuing God.  She is willing to serve others for God’s purposes.  Color, socio-economic status, background, etc doesn’t matter to her.  Plus, at 14, the laying up of treasures in Heaven are more important than the accumulation of stuff here.

Since this journey of ours started way back in November of 2017, Hannah has felt strongly about our families’ role in global missions.  She has welcomed every trip down to Guatemala.  She has been excited to learn Spanish.  It was her decision to walk away from softball and the investment of time and money to that skill God blessed her with.  It has been her decision to serve others.  She was eager to work with young ladies her age while on our last trip. It has been her decision to give things away.  

The doll pictured above was her American Doll “look alike” doll.  She had the opportunity to sell it and make money for herself…money for a new phone case or Starbucks.  She CHOSE to give it away.  Unknown to her, that choice was used by God to bring another little girl tremendous joy.    She didn’t know that a 9yr old girl has been eager to get a doll like that for over a year.  She didn’t know that the little girl had no access to that type of doll. She just chose to give it away. That choice brought tremendous joy. I got to see the reaction of the little girl and it was precious.  More joy than a new phone case could bring.

On a story like this, some will remark with the blanket statement, “It’s better to give than to receive.”  While that may be true, it’s not fully grasping the magnitude of what is going on here.  Hannah is showing a heart changed by Jesus.  A heart that understands the “Treasure Principle” as Randy Alcorn states it. A heart that understands Jesus teaching during the Sermon on the Mount…”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matt 6:19-21ESV

Laura and I are truly blessed.  Hannah is a special young lady…a young lady being molded by her Creator.