Something to think about

Even now, months after I have returned from Uganda I still have moments when a certain event comes flooding back to me with the trigger being a certain word, smell, voice, or scripture.  Today I was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate the life of a fallen Paramedic, Lori Mayfield.  During this service I was able to see the life of an outstanding person who chose to spend her life in the service of others.  As the memorial came to a close the church pastor read from the book of Matthew Chapter 6 19-21.

…Do not lay up for yourself treasures on the 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 destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also…

In this scripture I was reminded of a lesson learned in Uganda.  How the many things I have been blessed with could never bring me the joy and love I encountered with people who had nothing but the worn shirt on their back, yet rejoicing in their faith.  I am as guilty as the next person of having the mentality that if I could just have this one thing I would be happy.  But when I get that one thing there is always a next item that possesses my thoughts.  When I was taken out of my element, away from the safety of the US, traveling abroad for the first time and away from all the earthly possessions I had accumulated in my home, I began to find myself calling on the one thing I had all along.  This thing was still new in the wrapper and even had that new item smell.  It was the love, and guidance of the Holy Trinity.

Walking in to an Arab country during call to prayer looking like a typical american tourist was the first and only time I was scared on my trip.  I paused, looked around and realized I could not read a single sign since there were no english translations. I closed my eyes, turned my palms up and quietly said a prayer.

Coming back to the US it was easy to be swallowed by the materialism and commercialism of this economic driven society, But when was the last time you took all your items and accomplishments and weighed them with the treasures that lay before you in heaven created with your selfless actions here on earth?