Patience, kindness most valuable present this time of year
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal…"\
- Matthew 6:20-21 (NIV)
During the Christmas season, we can get so bogged down with the traditions, the decorations, and finding the right treasured item that we can lose sight of the treasures that will change our hearts and lives.
A friend shared with me some of the valuable lessons she learned while on her holiday shopping trips.
While bargain hunting at one of the well-known discount stores, my friend noticed a young child in the aisle waiting without crying, kicking or screaming as his mother lingered over selecting the right bath supplies.
As the child stuck close to his mother's side, he kept himself occupied as he looked around at all the merchandise. As my friend continued to observe the child, she felt God was nudging her heart as she thought how he possessed a patient character that she only dreamed of owning.
She shared how watching this child revealed to her that if he could learn to be that patient, so could she.
On another shopping day, while standing in a long checkout line, an inconsolable, crying infant caught her attention. As the line moved slower and slower, the infant cried louder. The frantic mother and bystanders were trying everything in an attempt to quiet the troubled baby.
Suddenly, what my friend refers to as a white-haired angel, came out of nowhere. Walking up to the infant, with a gentle voice and a kind smile, the woman received a smile in return from this wee one. My friend was in awe as she witnessed what an effect calm behavior can have on a chaotic situation.
We all like to hunt bargains while out shopping. But when we place too much emphasis on finding the right deal, we have to ask ourselves, "What do I really value in life?"
Although it pleasures the Lord to supply us with earthly desires, he warns us that eventually they will rust and decay.
When we keep our focus on what's important, such as our family, good values, and touching other people's lives, this plan produces heavenly treasures with rewards that will long outlast our earthly gems.
• Annettee Budzban is an author, speaker, life coach, nurse and Bible teacher. Annettee is available to speak to your church group, business, civic organization or be your personal life coach. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. Sign up now for her conference, "Writing for Fun or Profit," in February 2020.