Jan 13, 2009

Where Your Treasure Is...


Have you ever been through a Beth Moore Bible Study? I've done several of hers, and I'm here to tell you that this one is quite possibly my most favorite ever. It's been several years since I went through it, but it made such an impact in my life that I've never forgotten it.


The study goes through a very detailed look at the life of Jesus when He walked this earth 2,000 years ago. When we got to the part about His birth, God used Beth's incomparable ability to take us inside the minds of the people involved.


Particularly Mary.


Beth speculates Mary's thought processes as best we can understand them from clues in Scripture. We get a glimpse of her thoughts while the angel appears to her and later to Joseph, during the time of her visit with Elizabeth, and her cousin's full understanding of Who was conceived in Mary. She contemplates the close call of the actual birth, and the sudden provision that was made for them so she could deliver the Messiah. After the birth, Scripture tells us that she heard the shepherds and their proclamation, and then she "treasured up these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19


The summer before I went through this study, I taught Vacation Bible School to a roomful of active kindergartners. On the Wednesday night of that week, we had Parent's Night, which was a performance night the kids did for the parents. Each of the preschool classes sang a song before the big children's choir gave their presentation.


Maybe I was just a lousy music teacher, but there was no way those kindergartners were going to learn a whole song in three days with all the other activity going on...and then perform it for a large group of strangers. No singing, no way.


So I just taught them some hand motions to the song that they could follow, and for each of the parts of the song, I had props that several kids could hold up at their appointed times. It was pretty simple, they caught on, and it was an overall success. One of the props I made was this treasure chest.




It was turning out to be so pretty that while I was making it, I prayed and asked God to help me find good use for it after the presentation.


As He always is, He was listening to His simple child's simple request.


Later in the fall, while digging deep into Luke Chapter 2 with Beth Moore, the Lord gave me an idea to use that sweet treasure chest.


In the study, Beth gave us a more clear understanding of Luke 2:19 than I had ever had before. The word for "treasured up" means "to preserve, as by holding close." Think of holding very close to your heart something or someone dear to you. Then the word for "pondered" means "to throw or put together." The picture here is that of a puzzle. She took this person's testimony, and that testimony, and this person's input and that, and then put them all together so as to see a bigger picture.


Here's where the idea for the treasure chest comes in: I took that sweet box I decorated, and put a pad of paper in it. Every time God does something that is remarkable, when I am faithful to remember to do it, I write it down with a date on a piece of that paper.


I have taped a piece of paper to the inside of the lid that has the Scripture and the definition of the two phrases that struck such a chord in me. That way, if something were to happen to me (as it surely will one day), my family will remember what it was for.


As part of the Legacy, when my boys are all grown, we can sit together and look at all the marvels that God did over the years that our feeble minds are unfaithful to recall.


In this box, I am treasuring up God's goodness and evidence in our lives so that one day, we may all ponder them in our hearts together. We will relive each one, but at the same time be able to piece each one together and see the much bigger picture that God is so much more active in our lives than we think sometimes.


I am so humbled by that thought.



16 comments:

sara said...

this is so cool. I am starting that bible study tomorrow morning!! now I really can't wait to get into it!! And I love that idea!

Chel said...

Very beautiful dear sister, very much so. Treasure it all and pour it on out! I love you so much!!!
Chel - the other :-)

Edie said...

I love everything about this Chel. I have always related to the scripture that says Mary treasured up these things and pondered them in her heart. What a wonderful legacy for your family.

Your treasure chest really did turn out cute too. I have a few things from when I taught K SS kids too.

I bet it would be fun to teach with you. :)

Just a sidenote - Tomorrow I'm posting how to make that mocha. :) Not that it's any great accomplishment mind you, but in case you want to know. :)

Angela said...

I really want to do this study! I got it for my mom for Christmas. Your treasure box is such a good idea..my Bible Study was talking last night about how easy it is to forget times when God has really come through..this sounds like it would serve as a great reminder!

Angela

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Well. I started to thank you here for the encouraging, illuminating words you left at the Cafe, and then I come here and take this in, and am totally encouraged and inspired again! I am going to do this, too. Chel. I'm going to Hobby Lobby this afternoon for a birthday present for a friend, and I'm going to pick up a little box similar to yours and begin this endeavor. It's such a practical, beautiful way to leave a legacy.

Dena said...

What a wonderful idea! Hubby and I have something similar we have done over the years. We each have a small box that looks like a treasure chest and they sit on our nightstands. There is a notepad and pen inside each. Whenever I desire, I write a little note to him and leave the lid open so when he sees it, he knows he has a note from me. He does the same with the box on my side of the room. I have saved all the notes from over the years and it's fun to look back at them.

Angie said...

You may recall that I'm doing that study right now. What a blessing it is.

Thank you for sharing this wondeful post. I love the thoughts and ideas. So very sweet.

Jodie | Velour said...

This IS a great idea, and I want to incorporate it into our little family too. A very thrilling legacy. :) Beautiful - as usual, Chel. :)

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

OK, I ended up not picking up a box, but I did pick up something I'm going to use instead. I'll put it in my 365 slideshow Sunday!

Meg in Tally said...

LOVED the study..we did it a few years ago. LOVED your treasure chest and I know it will be treasured through the years by you and your family. Wonderful legacy...

Greg C said...

I left you a comment yesterday but for some reason it never showed up. I love the idea.

Edie said...

I just want you to know that you came within an inth of being tagged when I posted that. Now that you show up at 2:00 am (and I'm still awake and working), well I can't resist. Tag Your It. Yes I went back and edited the post. :D

Love ya girl!

riTa Koch said...

I loved your "ardent" post!

Kelly said...

Hi Chel. I was looking for an email address and couldn't find one. So I'll just leave my crazy question here. A bloggy friend has a gift to send you (anonymously so I'm enlisted to help). They want your address. A p.o. box will do fine.

you can email me at chattykelly (at) comcast (dot) net.

I'm not a stalker or anything. I am a bloggy friend of Edie. But she's not the anonymous gift giver. Anyway, let me know what you think.

Michele Williams said...

great idea.... I enjoyed your post very much... I wish there was help like blogging and all when I was raising my daughter 30 years ago!

Come by my blog and pick up awards.

Blessings

Diane Meyer said...

That is beautiful. I am doing the Esther study now, but would love to go through the Jesus study. Isn't it funny how there doesn't seem to be enough time and we want to do them all NOW..RIGHT NOW. I guess I am still a kid at heart. No patience.
Thanks for this post!