“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-20

I always knew that my children were my treasure.  I knew when I became a dad that I would not do anything else in my life that would compare to the important task of fatherhood.  I remember when our first baby arrived telling a friend that every morning felt like Christmas when I looked in her crib.  That feeling never left and I have felt like that with all three kids.  Henry had an especially big place in my heart.  When he died, it felt like Christmas would never come again.

A gift of Henry’s death is that one of my biggest treasures is now in Heaven.  For me, it has always been difficult to think of storing up treasure in Heaven.  It sounded alright, but more in an academic sense.  The treasures of earth were too immediate to ignore, too precious to give away.

Henry’s death has made it impossible for me to ignore Heaven any longer.  My treasure and my heart are there already and suddenly the things of earth don’t seem so important.  Accomplishment, power, influence, money – I’ve seen them for the temporary and fleeting costume jewels that they are.  God had diamonds all along.  I wouldn’t have willingly given up the costume jewels, so God, thank you.  Thank you for loving me enough to bless me with a pain so deep that I will forever hold your hand, waiting with patience to see all the treasures you have in store.