Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on 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 destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
This past week has been a little crazy in the Russell household. My husband, my children and I have been packing our belonging into boxes. We are preparing our home for repairs, painting and then to sell. For fourteen years we have lived here and have accumulated a large amount of things. You don’t realize how much stuff you have until you have to pack it in boxes.
A lot of emotions have been going through my head. It’s an exciting time as we look forward to what God has in store for us at our next home. However, it is also difficult as we say goodbye to this home and these neighbors whom we love.
While packing, this verse came to mind as I wrapped each item to ensure it would not be damaged in the move and carefully placed them into an empty box. All of the things that now fill these boxes are just items that I hold with an open hand knowing that at any moment I could lose them or have them take from me. They are items that God has blessed me with and though each one holds some sentimental value, they are not my treasure.
We are not meant to love our possessions. We are meant to love God and to love people. My treasure is my relationship with Jesus Christ, and I store up treasures in heaven by serving Him and those around me and pointing everyone to the Gospel.
One of the things I have been prayerful about during this time is my Sweet Monday. I have been a hostess in this neighborhood since 2015, and over the years God has brought precious women into my life through simple monthly gatherings. At this time I am not positive what God has in store for my Sweet Monday, but I trust Him with the outcome. I feel confident I will be able to continue to meet with my current group of ladies come fall, location to be determined.
While packing my 8-year-old daughter said to me, “just think of all the new ladies in our new neighborhood that we can invite to our Sweet Monday.” I was reminded that when we move we will take our greatest treasure with us to our new home, and we will have the opportunity to love, serve and share the Gospel with a new set of neighbors.