The Time Wasn't Wasted!

     One Saturday morning I was anxiously waiting for a garage door to open. The sale was late to start, and when the door groaned its way upward we found out why - someone had broken in the night before. The seller was distraught and the garage was in shambles. She allowed us to come in and pick through the items that were left, hoping to salvage some of her sales.
   
     I was immediately drawn to a large tin - the kind that would hold a Christmas fruitcake. A tin that size was surely holding a treasure under its lid! Sure enough, it was full of my favorite kind of shine, but all tossed and turned in a terrible, snarled mess.

     Though it's fruitcake disguise had kept the tin safe, being thrown out of the way had shaken the necklaces, bracelets and earrings into colorful knots. I sat down on the cold concrete floor and untangled each piece. A beautiful array of vintage jewelry emerged, some were just what I was looking for, so I picked those up out of the pile and got in line to pay.

     The seller held up each sparkly piece I presented, and in the end would only sell one pair of earrings. The rest held precious memories of her mother and grandmother - especially dear on that day when so many other treasures had been stolen away from her.

     I started to feel frustrated with the seller. She was happy the jewelry was untangled and in order, but her unwillingness to part with it meant I'd wasted a lot of my time that morning!

     That was when a Bible verse came to my mind, "...Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40)

     As I looked around at the things that were broken, the mess the woman would be untangling for a long time, I realized my time hadn't been wasted. That instead I'd been given a precious opportunity to encourage a stranger, and in doing so, to do something for Christ!  

The Reality of Reality Show Treasure Hunting!

     Have you noticed the overabundance of television shows lately that are geared towards treasure hunting? It seems whoever is doing the hunting almost always finds something of great value in some forgotten storage locker, an attic, or a yard sale. Of  course, the reality wouldn't make the cut - who wants to watch someone poke around in junk for an hour and return home empty-handed? And dirty...

    The truth is you may stumble on something of exceptional value now and then - and that keeps you hunting! But many times all I've brought home is myself...and dirt!

A pair of Victorian pin brooches in silver with peacock feather inlay - a reason to keep hunting!

     It's not surprising that many enjoy these television shows, who doesn't love a good buried treasure story? And it can happen - somewhere there may be a priceless bracelet waiting to be dug up, or at least a really beautiful one like my Dad unearthed recently!

     Always, though, Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure in my life! 

     I've heard other television programs that talk about Jesus. They make it sound like following Him is a guarantee of:

• Health
• Prosperity
• A life free of trouble
• Happiness
• A get out of jail free card

     The truth is a lot different. Jesus didn't promise us any of those things if we believe in Him. That could be why some don't believe in Christ, the same disappointment  treasure hunters feel when they discover there isn't a safe full of gold in every storage locker, has filled their hearts when Jesus wasn't the quick fix from life's trouble that they were hoping for. 

     The treasure Jesus did promise, however, is sufficient to fill all our needs. He told us:

• He gives us life - everlasting! "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life..." John 3:36
• He gives us joy - even in the midst of life's trials! "...Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3
• We can't be separated from His love! "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35a, 38-39

     It is fun to watch the treasure hunting shows on television! If you want to find your own riches, though, you will have to turn off the television and start searching!

     I

Better Photos-Better Vision!

     A photograph can either make your vintage treasure look like a piece fit for the museum, or a piece of junk for the recycle bin! If you are trying to sell your treasure online, it's all about the picture - the vision you give others of the item you want them to fall in love with.

     A few good rules that will help the characteristics of your subject shine online are:

• Good lighting - dark shadows can make your vintage jewels look dirty and worn.
• The background should be free of distractions so the focus is on the item.
• Be still and steady, or use a tripod, to keep photos from blurring.
• Fill the frame with the treasure being photographed. Crop it if there is too much background and too little of the item.
• Focus on the item. Most cameras have an automatic focus option. An incorrect focus will ruin the picture.

Sterling silver, jade and enamel pendant on a black velvet background - details of the filigree and enameling are easy to see on the solid background.

     Lighting, a distraction free setting, keeping still and steady, having a focus that is filled with the item are tips that will help you take better photographs. They are also good ways to get a better picture of God!

     For many, God is a blurry entity - someone or something out there somewhere that they don't see clearly, and so to them, has little value. A correct vision of God makes all the difference. Let's use our photo tips to see how we can get that clear picture:

• Lighting - Jesus Christ is, "...the light of the world." The way to God is through believing in Him. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) 
• Take away the background distractions and search for God in prayer and meditation on His Word. Fill your mind and heart - the frame- with Him. "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
• "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)  Stillness will allow God the opportunity to fill us with a vision of who He is, "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite." (Psalm 147:5)
• Focus on God. What does He expect? How should we live? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:4-5)

     A clear picture of an old pendant can show it off as a treasure...

     A clear vision of God, His love and concern for us, is something we can treasure in our hearts!