His Treasured Possession

“And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,” - Deuteronomy 26:18 (ESV)

Nancy had spent the day outside weeding her garden, mowing the lawn, and carefully nurturing her flowers.  It wasn’t until she went inside to make lunch that she realized her wedding ring was no longer on her finger.  She frantically searched her flowerbeds, garden shed, and everywhere else she could think of before calling her husband and confessing the loss. 

While her husband was saddened by the loss, he was very understanding.  It was, after all, only a ring and not what made their marriage work, and it could be replaced.  Nancy, however, was heartbroken.  Yes, it was only a ring, and really not that expensive when you got right down to it, but it was the ring her beloved had placed on her hand all those years ago when they pledged their lives to each other before their friends, family, and God.

After the phone call, she went to her neighbor to borrow their metal detector.  Upon hearing Nancy’s dilemma both she and her two sons joined the search.  The boys commandeered the metal detector and soon discovered hidden treasure of bottle caps, nails, and various other scraps, but no ring.  The neighbor carefully walked the garden rows and searched delicately through Nancy’s prized flowers, but still no ring. 

Nancy focused her energy on the compost bin where she had dumped the grass clippings and weeds.  Maybe her ring had slipped off her hand as she was throwing the lawn debris away.  Kneeling in front of the bin, she carefully removed the top layer of grass and weeds as tears slowly slipped from her eyes.  The smell of rotting fruit soon filled her nose as she started sifting through banana peels, half eaten apples, and other now unidentifiable food products. 

“Please, God, please let me find that ring.  I know that it is small and not worth much, but it is so precious to me.” She prayed and prayed, but an hour later no one had found the ring.  A sweaty, smelly, and emotionally drained Nancy started to thank her neighbor for helping her in the search when her neighbor let out a small gasp.  There at their feet, tucked neatly into the edging between the garden and the lawn was Nancy’s ring.  And even though it was smudged with dirt and grass to Nancy it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

***** 

Dearest Heavenly Father, thank you so much for making us your treasure and for never giving up on us.  Thank you for searching for us when we wander away from you and find ourselves covered in “dirt and grass”.  Help us remember that even when we “fail” ourselves and are feeling small and not worth much that we are still your precious treasure and that you are willing to search through all the smelliness to find us.  In Jesus’ holy name we pray to You.  Amen.