Lost Treasure

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:1-2 ESV). All of us have those special “treasures” in our lives. One of them for me personally is my college ring. I remember the day that I was able to go to the student affairs office and pick it up. It had been ordered for many months and that day was one of the highlights of my college career. To put it on and walk on the campus now meant that I had joined the elite of Texas A & M University! At least it did to me. I can honestly say that there have been few times in my life that I have ever been without it. It seems to embody the memories and recollections of those days in a way that nothing else does. One day I had been working in the front yard of our home. As I recall, we only had two of our boys at that time. They were ages 8 and 3. For whatever reason I glanced down at my ring finger and noticed that my Aggie Ring was gone! I went back into the house and asked Mary and the boys to come outside and help me look. The front yard was of fair size, but we looked, sometimes on hands and knees for the ring. Finally after searching for some time, one of the boys said, “Here it is Dad!” The relief was incredible! My lost treasure had been found. I suppose I should have been more careful about wearing it outside when I knew that I would have moist hands and the possibility of losing it was high. I think about that now! As I read this morning’s verses, I thought how careless we are with other treasures in our lives. Things that are of much more value than a college ring, like personal integrity, a friend’s trust, a child’s respect, our family’s love, our relationship with our heavenly Father, ought to be guarded much more so. Once these things are lost it is very difficult to recover them! It is often a challenge to do what’s right, but it is always best. During his time as a rancher, Theodore Roosevelt and one of his cowpunchers lassoed a maverick steer, lit a fire, and prepared the branding irons. Gregor Lang, one of Roosevelt’s neighbors, claimed the part of the range they were on. According to the cattleman’s rule, the steer therefore belonged to Lang. As his cowboy applied the brand, Roosevelt said, “Wait, it should be Lang’s brand.” ”That’s all right, boss,” said the cowboy. ”But you’re putting on my brand,” Roosevelt said. ”That’s right,” said the man. ”Drop that iron,” Roosevelt demanded, “and get back to the ranch and get out. I don’t need you anymore. A man who will steal for me will steal from me.” Are there any treasures you’ve lost or misplaced? Do whatever it takes to find them! A good name – it’s better than silver or gold!