Looking for the Tiny Treasures

“Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;

be alert to signs of his presence.” Psalm 105:5 (The Message)

My father-in-law, Paul Walden, died about 10 years ago.  But he did something remarkable before he died in anticipation of his death.  He put little notes of love to his wife, LaRue, in places she would never look, like the filter for the house air conditioner.  Since he always changed it, he knew she would not find it until after he was gone.  And he knew she would need those notes when she was attempting to do things he had always done and she was missing him at that moment.  It became a treasure hunt for her, and she had a sense of anticipation and delight knowing there were more to be found.  His love was able to live on after him through his words and his creativity.

God does the same for us.  We have to look for the love notes, but they are there if we are alert.  The author of Jesus Calling urges us to “look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way.”  She says God goes before us planting pleasures to brighten our day.  If we watch for them and “pluck them one by one . . . we will have gathered a lovely bouquet” at the end of the day. 

I’ve been watching today.  So far I’ve “plucked” a friendly, warm bank teller; a grocery store that announced the birthday of a special needs customer and I watched all the employees go over to hug him; tiny snow this morning; a funny video; and I’ve got 8 hours to go.  What have you uncovered today?  This gives us a sense of anticipation and delight as we walk along The Way looking for the treasures God has creatively hidden for us.