“Hey! Look what I found,” my husband said.
In each hand he held a hidden treasure he’d discovered amid cleaning products under the kitchen sink.
“That’s amazing,” I exclaimed, “Fantastic! I didn’t know we had any, but they were there all along.”
An observer would have guessed we found gold nuggets. Hubby didn’t find gold, but maybe better than that, he scored, not one but two—drum roll please—containers of Clorox Wipes!
Have you laughed with excitement when the grocery order contained toilet paper? We’ll tell great-grandchildren one day, “You think you have it rough? During the Covid-19 pandemic, we couldn’t find soap or toilet paper.”
When we discover empty store shelves, we frown on hoarding. How dare people snatch up an excess supply when others have none! (I must admit a critical spirit toward some of those folks welled up in me.)
Then I thought…
The next time a pandemic threatens to erupt, I’ll buy lots of toilet paper and sanitizer, and…I won’t be caught short-handed again. I won’t hoard like those other folks, but I’ll buy more than usual.
Wait a minute. What was I thinking? Will I be tempted to hoard like those I criticized? Will I focus on the value of sharing or the advantage of hoarding? Where will I place my trust?
Father, forgive me for a critical spirit and for depending on my buying power instead of trusting You to meet my needs.
Another thought surfaced as I remembered our treasure from the kitchen cabinet.
What other hidden treasures do I possess that were there all along? Talents? Abilities? Knowledge? Material things someone needs? What experiences do I have that would be a blessing to those who are suffering during the pandemic?
What a shame to hoard what others need.
Why did God bless me as He did? What did I learn from the experiences He allowed? Which of God’s treasured gifts remain hidden and unused in my home or my memory?
What if I discovered the hidden treasures once again and used them for His glory and the good of others? Surely, that’s what He has in mind.
During the current pandemic:
Some have lost loved ones.
I know how it feels to lose a dad and a mom, and I have friends struggling to cope with the death of a family member. How could I help?
Some have lost income.
My husband once suffered job loss through no fault of his own. In that hard season, God provided. A young woman I know missed work for two months. Could I encourage her with a small gift and Bible verses that helped me?
Some are ill or fearful.
I watched my mom minister to my dad who had an incurable disease. I cared for my mom when congestive heart failure advanced. How can I pray for and encourage those who are ill or fearful?
Some are doubting God’s care for them or regretting the decisions they made.
We’ve all been there and understand the need for prayer and Bible study. Would a devotional book help? What about a listening ear?
Sharing our hidden treasures
What’s the common denominator of these situations? The need for comfort. Read what Paul wrote on this subject:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Am I hoarding in my heart the treasure of comfort God gives? How can I share it with someone He loves?
Prayer is always a wise response. Telling someone you’re praying for them and providing a visual reminder in a card or letter can encourage that person.
Sometimes, however, we are also called to action—to be the hands and feet of Jesus as it were.
Does someone you know need…
- a friend?
- a call?
- a meal?
- a monetary gift?
- a greeting card?
- a service like shopping or lawn care?
These acts of kindness bless those who suffer. Just as a pot of soup can warm the body, flowers in a jar can brighten someone’s day.
Consider these words:
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
James 2:14-16 ESV
I’m thankful for Clorox Wipes and other daily supplies—more so now than before. However, I’m amazed by the gift of salvation, as well as God’s comfort and other treasures He provides.
Let’s find opportunities to share His comfort with others.
What hidden treasures do you possess? How can you share your treasures in the name of Jesus with someone else? I look forward to your comments.
Images by Pixabay
Sharing phone calls, video chats, mailing cards to nursing homes, mailing letters to family and friends… There are so many ways to show God’s love to others.
Right you are, Melissa. God is creative and shares His ways with us. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you for not hoarding your kind heart and wise words. These are very good ideas for giving instead of taking during this season of separation. Blessings!
P.S. You DID hit the jackpot, Jeannie! Ha! I read this week where Clorox wipes won’t be readily available until mid-late summer.
Cathy, you made me even more thankful for our “treasure.” 🙂 You’re right that this is a period of separation. I’m thankful God gives us ways to connect and ideas for ministering to those who can’t access technology.
Such wisdom Ms. Jeannie. I too share in having a critical spirit sometimes. I don’t like what the hoarders have done, but I understand that fear is driving them. I wish more had thought about “stocking up” on a few extra things when there’s plenty to be better prepared to handle a time when things aren’t so plentiful? Isn’t that why we save for retirement, etc.? I’m feeling more sad and disappointed, especially in some Christians who have chosen to give into fear, than anything else right now though.
You’re right, J. D. Stocking up on essentials is wise, especially when items are on sale. I agree that fear spurs us to a number of behaviors we might not otherwise consider. Our focus must be on God and His Word to fight fear and to reach out to others. Thanks so much for commenting.
Thank you for the reminder. This could be a good post to stick on the refrigerator.
Monty, I’m thankful you found the ideas worthy of posting. What a creative God we have to show us ways to help others in His name. I appreciate your comment so much.
Thanks for your tips and thoughts, Jeannie. Not only is it easy to be critical of people hoarding, but it is easy to forget others when you are shut up in your house trying to get through a pandemic. We need to remember those worse off than we are.
You’re right, Stephanie. There are always multiple ways to reach out to others. When I read of tragedy, disasters, or hard times, I pray that God will send His people to meet needs so that others will be drawn to Him. I hope to remember and act on that when needs are close to my doorstep. Thanks, Stephanie.
Another thoughtful and thought-provoking post, Jeannie! Thanks for reminding me to reach out to others in thoughtful ways.
I enjoy the hymns you play online, Glenda. They are peaceful reminders to keep our eyes on Jesus. Thank you, faithful reader.
Thank you for helping to guide our hearts toward God. It’s a great temptation to place our trust in something besides God. Thanks for this message!
Nancy, thank you so much for reading and commenting. The pandemic has helped us evaluate our trust, hasn’t it? I’m thankful God works in our hearts to remind us of His faithfulness. I certainly need those reminders.
Great post, Jeannie! How quickly we can forget to share our gifts with others when the challenges of life bog us down. Thank you for the reminder!
Josie, you’re right that our challenges can turn our focus inward instead of toward those God would have us minister to in His name. I need reminders, too. Thanks so much for taking time to comment.
It is amazing the items that we took for granted before COVID-19 have now become precious as gold. Even our talents that we thought were worthless to anyone else but ourselves have become essential to fight this battle. I sew and have made multiple masks and hats for nurses, friends and family. We are all in this together and I think God would be pleased to see how we have all pulled together. Love thou neighbor as thyself has become a way of life. I think we have all learned to appreciate the “small stuff” in life.
Times such as this brings out both the worst and the best in us, I’ve struggled with a range of unChristian traits—impatience, anger, irritability—to name a few. On the other hand, I’ve donated blood (literally), sweat and tears to serve others. I found a new volunteer activity with a local food pantry that is bringing me much joy.
Love this post. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Candyce, I’m sure serving as you have brings you joy and blesses others. What great ways to share the love of Christ! I appreciate your comments.
Pam, it’s great to hear from you and see that you’re using your talents to help others. I agree that we’re learning to appreciate the “small stuff” which increases our gratitude to God for our blessings. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Right on target. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Diana. These trying times lead us to evaluate our focus, don’t they? I’m thankful God allows us to serve others in His name.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder of ways for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus! It isn’t that difficult. We just need to open our eyes and heart to allow God to show us. And then act upon it. I am slow to act….but quick to hoard. Thanks again Jeannie for your encouragement!
Kristie, you are right that when we open our eyes God shows us how He wants us to minister to others. I’m slow to act sometimes, too, especially when I’ve overfilled my plate. I appreciate your comments so much.
Our priorities have certainly changed during these challenging times, right, Jeannie? Thank you for the reminder that God gives us good treasures, because He is always good. And, I need to share those treasures with others!
Right you are, Julie, about priorities changing. Yes, the treasured gifts He gives are amazing blessings. I appreciate you reading the post.
I appreciate how your posts always include something to make us think and something to help us act. I’ll be doing both today. Many thanks!
You are welcome, Lori. God gives us joy when we minister to others in His name, doesn’t He? What a blessing!
Thank you for your post Jeannie. Recently I feel like I cannot do much for others but this is a great reminder that I can reach out with a phone call, an encouraging card, or a small gift. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!
Doreen, I think we have seasons when we can give more than we can at other times. I’m working on listening carefully to God so that I hear His plan instead of my own. You make a good point that when we can’t do a lot for others, we can choose something seemingly small that may be a huge blessing to that person. Thank you so much for commenting.