Trinkets and Treasures

Claws from Maine, shells from Florida, lighthouses from North Carolina and more—these all formed my collection of salt and pepper shakers.

My father chimed in with his not-so-subtle humor and gave me the salt and pepper set of a husband and wife couple to remind me to stick close (to his view of) my gender role in marriage. Oh please, Dad!

These pairs of knickknacks lined my shelves and brought a smile for a while, but in time they lost their meaning. They became trinkets of little value that ended up on someone else’s shelf or in the trash.

As I matured (sort of), I sought treasure over trinkets. The treasures I’m talking about are precious gems of the heart like relationships, security, courage, rescue, generosity, love, recovery, and faith.

These gems of the heart cannot be bought. They awaken us to the need for safe-keeping, to the reality of a Treasure-Giver, and to the beauty of gratitude. They require special care because although they cannot be seen on a shelf, tragically, they can be placed on a shelf.

We place treasures on a shelf when we betray a friend, shrink back from opportunity, disrespect people we love, worry, withhold resources when it’s in our power to give, refuse to take a hand when we are in over our heads, or build a wall of protection around our hearts.

My awakening to true treasure began long ago with a decision to get to know the ultimate “Treasure-giver.” It was a dark season during which I could not imagine a future of promise and light. But God helped me navigate through darkness and revealed treasures on the other side.

My most recent treasure came this past year. Sorrow from loss would have left me desolate. But refusing to isolate, allowing my tears to flow, resting from exhaustion, struggling through uncertainty, and reaching out for pastoral care revealed the treasure of spiritual community like I had never seen or known before.

The care of friends, new friends, and family tenderized my cracked-open heart to receive, to be humble, to look up, and to begin the process of healing. Unusual encounters with “strangers” opened the treasure of knowing God’s limitless power to express His care for me at just the right time and in ways I least expected.

There are trinkets and treasures, but treasures remain. We safeguard them because they don’t come easy and they open our eyes to know who the ultimate Treasure-Giver is.

I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places

so that you will know that I am God.

Isaiah 45:3

I still have some trinkets that bring a smile, but my treasures bring joy and align my heart with what really matters. What are your trinkets and treasures?