This Treasure

It’s technically 4 degrees outside right now and according to weather.com it feels like negative 17 degrees out.  And that, my friends, is cold.

So I thought I’d share some pictures of some brighter and warmer times tonight.  Which leads me to a few years ago at our Vacation Bible School at Eastport Bible Church.  It was a nice and hot week in August which seems really nice right about now.  Granted, when it was actually August and it was hot and humid, I’m pretty sure I was wishing then for colder weather.  Though, not quite 4 degrees cold.  Because no one would wish for that.

Anyhow, moving on.  It was a nice hot end of summer week in August.  And in addition to hangout out and helping out that week, Michael also starred all week in our VBS Skit.

It was a pretty top notch and professional gig, at least as far as VBS skits go.  And Michael delivered perfectly.

He played his role perfectly and all throughout the week was able to share and encourage our VBS kids through his role in the skit.

And I’ll be honest.  I probably can’t tell you everything that happened in the skit that year.

But I do remember that the theme of the week was 1 Corinthians 13 and God’s Love and the skit had something to do with looking for and finding it as a treasure, which is exactly what happened on the last day of the skit.

And when I thought about this idea of treasure, I was drawn to 2 Corinthians 4.  And after talking to Sally tonight, I knew it would be perfect for sharing tonight.

First off, our family went up to see Michael today.  We got there a bit after noon.  Our kids were content to go and wait in the waiting room, and for the first time in a month, Jeremy and I did not venture into the SICU, but instead took a left down the hall to meet up with Michael in his new room.  And in so many ways, this is a huge answer to prayer.  Michael is technically not in the ICU anymore.  And we praise and we thank God for bringing Michael to this new place.

We had another really nice visit with Michael.  He was awake on and off throughout the time that we visited with him and both of his parents.  When I held his hand and talked with him about our kids and how they were praying for him, he moved his other hand all the way up towards his neck.  And I told him how great it was to see him moving so much and so well.  And he had such a nice calm expression on his face and for that I was so thankful.

Because in talking to Sally tonight, with the new changes from today, Michael has been having more episodes of his brain showing stress and that is something that we need to pray for tonight.  It’s a common thing in patients with brain injury, but it can be a bit upsetting as it affects Michael in different ways.  It’s also hard for Michael’s family to see him struggle and we could pray for peace and comfort for them as well.

Which brings me back to 2 Corinthians 4.  If you have the chance, you should check it out.  And if you don’t have a Bible, you can even Google it :).  What stands out to me most in this chapter, is how it talks about not losing heart.  God knows we will have our struggles.  But oh dear friends, He gives us such encouragement.  And that we have this treasure in jars of clay.  And in verse 8 and 9?  Such power.  It shares how at times, we will be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  God knows this life is hard.  But He promises such beautiful things.

Finishing up in verses 16-18 is the absolute icing on the cake.  Truth is…  We do not lose heart.  Inwardly, God will renew us day, by day.  Truth is, our lives here are short, but God and His love is forever.  Truth is, our hardships are temporary, but God’s great love and His great plans are eternal.

And we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God.  And that tonight, is the great truth and the great treasure that we can have.