My Wife, My Treasure (Daily Reflections on Proverbs 18:22)

I was a confirmed bachelor, or so I thought. I had dated a young lady for about five years for some of my high school and nearly all of my college years. I loved her family, but it became increasingly apparent that she and I could not be life partners. I felt too confined, restraining the essence of my personality. It was a difficult break up. Although I've never been divorced, I think I have a pretty good idea what it must be like.

After that experience, I was convinced that I would be like the Apostle Paul and remain unmarried. Being single gave me more time and focus on ministry. Sure there were several churches that wouldn't give a young single pastor a chance, but I knew God would open doors for me since I had answered His calling. Besides, I enjoyed dating various young ladies and as an eligible, young, athletic bachelor, finding a date was not difficult. In fact, I wondered if I would be able to make a life long commitment to any single person. I had even announced to my younger sister that I didn't think that I would ever marry.

That was before she walked through my door, literally. I was cleaning my apartment when a knock at the door introduced me to my now wife. She had come to meet me at the insistence of her best friend and one of my youth sponsors. Somehow I knew that day that she was destined to be my wife, although it was over a period of months that our relationship developed. That knock has changed my life.

Prov. 18:22 says that a man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the Lord. I must say that my wife is certainly a treasure. I feel lucky to have someone as loving, patient, dutiful, industrious, accepting, gorgeous as she. She is a light to me, my encouragement, my confidence, my lover. Right now in this season of life, she is my comfort, sustainer, my friend, my everything. I cannot imagine life without her.

Not everything has gone smoothly in our relationship throughout our years together. We've definitely had our share difficulties and tense moments. But our commitment to one another has helped us persevere through those struggles. I am not perfect and neither is my lovely wife. Had we given up on each other in earlier years, we would have missed out on the joy we experience today. I have learned that my wife is a treasure whether we're into it or not, whether she's on her own agenda or we're focused together, whether she's attentive to my needs or flat out ignoring me (okay, sometimes I need ignoring). She's worth fighting for and I should always treasure her, protect her, care for her, celebrate her, encourage her, esteem her, love her, and pray for her. She's God's favor on my life.

God, thanks for giving me my wife. She's more than I could have imagined. I certainly do feel blessed. Lord, she is worth fighting for. I know that I'm not the perfect husband by any stretch of the imagination. I need your wisdom, your grace, your guidance in holding up my beautiful wife. I'm selfish sometimes and irritable and irritating and downright unpleasant to be around. I need you to help me be the kind of husband my wife needs each day, to be sensitive to her needs and to act on those insights in the proper way. Help me to treasure my treasure.

Daily Reflections on Lk. 12:32-34 (In Search of Buried Treasure)

The air is crisp and cool. The hue of the leaves is becoming a goldish green giving us a glimpse of fall to come. The flowers are slowly fading. The birds are beginning to gather in large flocks preparing for their flight to warmer climates. There's a stillness to the air. The season is changing.

The seasonal flow has long been noted as a parallel to life. We see the coming and going and varied qualities of each distinct season. Each phase of the year has its own beauty and distress. Most have their favorite time of year. And many would prefer their desired season to last longer.

Having, in the not too distant past, made one of those transitional seasonal passages of life gives me cause me to reflect back on life and various priorities of each season. Back in the last century, in the days before video games, computers, ipods and cell phones, we kids were encouraged to play outside and use our imagination.

Boys play differently than girls. As little men, we played games like war, capture the flag, king of the hill, and various other "manly" games. My friends and I often spent hours on some adventure where we explored the woods, the creeks, anthills, and sometimes even hornets' nests. Amidst our adventures we looked for buried treasure. That treasure could be anything from turning over a rock in a stream to discover crawdads or digging up some agate or piece of quartz. Our treasure could even be a caterpillar or a strange beetle.

As I reflect on those simpler days of life, it causes me to contemplate the treasures I've searched and dug for through the years. It causes me to stop and ask myself, "What do I treasure today?" "What am I pursuing today?" "What's really important?" "What really has lasting value?" "Where do I want to spend my remaining life energies?"

It doesn't really matter what stage or season of life you're in right now. What matters is what kind of treasure you're seeking. Will it make a difference in eternity? Is your treasure for selfish gain or for the benefit of others? Jesus said for true contentment, fulfillment, satisfaction to pursue a treasure in heaven that won't be exhausted, wear out or change with the seasons.

God, I love going exploring with you. The adventure is full of challenges, surprises, joys and discoveries. I don't cling to this world or their empty treasures or promises. I want to find that heavenly treasure. I'm packed and ready for the hunt. Lead me. Guide me. Let's go find that buried treasure.