True Treasure

See: The Story of Stuff (a 20 minute animation of the consumerist society)

Life
Jeremiah 37:1-38:28

"...Do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the royal secretary, or I will die there!" (Jeremiah 31:20)

Straight out of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Jeremiah (who has lived less than a charmed life) embodies the psychological theory that if basic needs like food and water are met, then someone can go on to worry about safety (shown here), then love, then self-esteem, then self-actualization. So many people live in the first couple of stages... worrying about where they will get their next meal and if they will sleep safely until tomorrow. And like little Thalita in my Sunday School prayer group, let me always remember to thank God for the treasure of "one more day of life".

Body
Psalm 119:73-80

"You made me and formed me with your hands..." (Psalm 119:73)

Created in the image of God with an amazing human body. A few weeks ago, I fell while running 5 miles and was scratched up from head to toe... now I barely notice the scars. The healing process is just one of the many little miracles inherent in this earthly body God has created for us. Lord, please forgive me for the times when I have not appreciated this body or the fact that you created it for me as a gift- to use to your glory.

Lasting Treasure
Proverbs 27:23-27

"Riches do not go on forever..." (Psalm 27:24)

Sometimes I think that these problems with the economy aren't the worst thing for our country right now. While I am distressed at thinking of the many people losing their jobs, I pray that people will stop relying so heavily on their wallets and rely more heartily upon God. It's also hard for me to feel the pinch, since I am earning so much more than last year and have already learned the trick to economizing. Even more important, these past years have shown me the lasting blessings that do not come from dollars (or reais)... a smile shared, stories exchanged, a warm hug, a cafezinho to accompany a friendly conversation. Thank you, Lord, for this this treasure that I carry in my heart.

Purity
1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

"Think carefully before you lay your hands on anyone, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." (1 Timothy 5:22)

Pure- two things come to mind when I hear this word. First of all, Katherine means pure... talk about a hard name to live up to. And pure drinking water, water which gives life to all creation. In this world where so many sins are upheld as blessings (where the stock market and income are our measures of success), it's hard to remain pure- in the world but not of the world. But, I've known people who are masters at this. Kate (my namesake) and Taunt (my great-aunt) would kindly look at life from the outside, capable of noting the blessings they were a part by keeping themselves away from "the sins of others". I can still hear Taunt saying, "What a blessing" as she welcomed nine young children to run around her house to play rowdy games of hide-and-go-seek.