WHAT'S LEFT?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon

earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through and steal;

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and

where thieves to not break through and steal:

For where your treasure is, there

will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

We met shortly after Brian and I moved here to our Tennessee home. In fact, her house is near enough to my house that I can see her house and she could see mine. She was a recent widow in her 80's, lonely with no family to speak of in her life. She did have a niece she didn't really know well,, but had no close relationship with her. As nice as “Sarah” could be she had a streak of bitterness in her that was quite noticeable even during our first conversation.. She could latch onto the wrong friendships that didn't last long at all because conversations would turn into complaining sessions so people would withdraw from her.

Sarah wasn't interested in spiritual things. I spoke with her often about coming to church with me. She could have been in the ladies class I taught at the time. She told me that her husband didn't need Jesus and so she didn't think she did either. She lived in a lovely home with nice things, but she was a very unhappy person. Any friends she made were quickly worn out by her negative attitude.

A few weeks ago, Sarah died. There was a brief memorial service, nothing religious with only five or six people in attendance as I was told. Her house had been sold and today, with sadness, I can look across the field and see her things out on her front yard and porch...an estate sale. Sarah had a delightful personality when she wasn't in a bitter mood. She had the capability of making friends, but usually chased people away with anger and insults. Sarah had lovely things in her home and now strangers are culling through her things at the estate sale that would be upsetting for her if she could see it going on. I saw the couch I often sat on during our visits...a touch of sadness for me.

The sadness was intensified for me when I stopped by that house at the end of the sale. I asked if I could just look inside at the living room and kitchen. The new owner thought it an odd request, but allowed me to do it. Obviously people had tromped through the house and it would need a good cleaning. I recalled where the couches had been, pictures on the wall and looking at the kitchen I had thought was as nice as I had ever sat in. There was the counter Sarah and I had sat at any number of times, her talking and me mostly listening. The house felt empty and lonely just as I believe Sarah's life was in her final years of life. All of her lovely things are now gone...worth nothing to Sarah anymore..

I'm not trying to speak ill of Sarah. Sarah was friendly and warm upon meeting. Despite living alone, I know Sarah could have had a good, and fulfilling life with Jesus in her life. She was an intelligent lady and could have contributed much in the lives of others, but not without Jesus in her life. She had resources she could have invested in the lives of others, but chose to stay walled up in her lovely house full of lovely things.

Sadder to me are Christians who feel they can manage very fine without Jesus an active part of their lives. Many Christians have enough of Jesus to get them to Heaven but not enough to really keep themselves at their happiest and most peaceful. They may go through daily routines never giving Jesus a thought. Prayer may not be a thing of importance nor the Word of God prevalent in their lives. Some may even feel the regular practice of church attendance and activity aren't all that important for them. When I think of it, those Christians don't have much more going for them in practice than Sarah. She felt like she didn't need Him...many non-practicing Christians live as if they don't need Him either....how sad.

The day will come however, when Jesus will be VERY important to everyone...Christians, non-practicing Christians and the unsaved as well. Time is short. What am I doing to keep in close relationship with my Heavenly Father? What am I doing to show love and concern in the lives of others...Christians and non-Christians alike? If Jesus would return today, would He find my life just full of things that really don't count for anything when I am finally gone to be with Him? Seeing couches on a lady's front yard just don't seem to matter a great deal when all is said and done.

Father, I want my life to count for you. Keep me from complaining and even bitterness. I want to be an influence for You in every way I can as You lead. Help me to not put importance on the things of this world that will only come to nothing in a short time. Thank You for Your love and direction in my life. I love You. In Jesus precious name....Amen