Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK A small boy, walking down the street one bright summer day, spotted a copper penny glistening at his feet. He picked it up and clutched it protectively. He felt a glow of pride and excitement. Here was something that was his and it cost him nothing! From that day on, wherever he went, he walked with his head do“Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold…” – Proverb wn, eyes surveying the ground for more treasure. During the next 20 years he found 302 pennies, 24 nickels, 41 dimes, 8 quarters, 3 half dollars, and one worn out dollar bill for a total of...$12.82. The money he had accumulated had cost him nothing—except…that he missed the beauty several thousand sunsets...the colorful splendor of hundreds of rainbows...the brilliance of hundreds of maple leaves that had turned during the coolness of autumn....and most of all, the warmth of the smiles of the faces that had passed him day after day. "I know now," the author of this article states, "that life's real treasures can never be measured with a dollar sign. I just wish I had not spent so many years with my head down!" Is your head “down?” Searching for treasure and truth in small, limited areas? Or are you looking up? Searching the heart and mind of God for what is good and real? Life is a wonderful treasure!! And the people God has placed in our lives are to be cherished as well but if we walk around with our heads down looking for something that has no lasting value we will never recognize it. One of my favorite contemporary Christian musical artists is Steven Curtis Chapman. One of his more obscure songs is called, “The Treasure of You.” In conclusion, here are the lyrics of this song. Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that heartsick look in your eyes You hide it very well, but I've got the same disguise I know from all you see around you, You feel worth a very small price So plain and ordinary, but there's a pearl inside And if you look in the mirror in the light of the truth You'll see there's really nothing you could say or do To make you worth more to the One who made you You are a treasure! Worth more than anything under the sun or the moon God's greatest treasure is the treasure of you The rich man treasures gold and silver; The wise man, his knowledge of truth Some will hold to memories and some will cling to youth But the one who carved out the oceans; And painted the stars in the sky You are His prized creation, the apple of His eye There's no one else in the world who could take your place Just the thought of you brings a smile to His face God loves you with amazing grace So take a look in the mirror in the light of the truth Oh, yes it's true; See there's nothing more you can say or do God loves the way He created you 8:10 From the T to the R to the E to the A to the S to the U to the R to the E God made everything and everything He made More than anything He treasures you and me Check in the mirror in the light of the truth There is nothing you will ever say and nothing you will do The will ever make God care more than He does for the treasure God's treasure is you