The Treasure

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, Please!" Quickly the Mother checked the back of the little foil box and looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost two dollars. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy then for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma." As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grownup. She wore them everywhere- Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh, yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess- the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again,
"Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it Jenny? What's the matter?"Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with the other hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure... So like our heavenly Father. ~Author Unknown

This is a great story that directly challenges where our heart is at. Are we holding onto "dime-store" treasure because we are afraid to give God everything? What is the treasure you are holding back from Him? Step out in faith and offer it to Him in humility. He will begin to change your heart and give you peace. Genuine treasure is not found in people, jobs, relationships, money, hobbies, or even serving others, ministry, Bible reading, church going, etc. True lasting, genuine treasure is only found in Jesus. John 14:27 says, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you..." Whatever it is we are holding tightly onto other than Christ Himself is temporary. It will prevent us from seeking the One whose joy is limitless and bigger than any circumstance, trial, or hardship. Let go. Give it to Him. He wants to be your all.

~AF