Patsy, Where is your treasure?

"Consider the birds of the air..." - Jesus the Christ.


"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they? ... O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father know that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6: 25-26, 30-33


"O you of little faith!"  Not so encouraging, after all I want to be known as a Christian woman "who lives by faith."  But that is exactly the truth about myself. I do worry! In fact I worry so much it changes my emotions, my attitude and my physical appearance. You can actually see that I am different when I am worrying. My worrying has weighed very heavy on my family. I can now see the same behaviors I exhibit in Jamie. I don't want her growing up to worry. I want her to grow up trusting in God. Knowing that He is going to take care of her much better than we ever could. But that is only going to come when I teach it to her, so first I have to learn it for myself. When I really stop and think about it the things I am worrying about and bring me down are the "extras" in life and the "what if's." Because we are not starving, we are not thirsty and we are not naked. True, we may not have the ability to buy outfits regularly, and all the girly accessories that would make my girls feel feminine, or family vacations and costly celebrations but God never promised that. He promised to take care of me, His way; However He sees fit for our family. My issue is to stop being jealous of those who can afford these things and be content with what God has given to me. 
That's where the "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" comes in. God is pushing me to understand and believe in His righteous way. And that way in this situation is contentment. The plain out truth is that I am neither content nor thankful for what He has chosen to give to us. Learning to be content, it is so much harder than it seems. I see my friends doing all the things I desire and I find myself getting upset because we are not able to do the same. 
You know what the root of my discontentment is...  jealousy. And do you know what the root of jealousy is... pride. Basically I'm jealous someone has something better than me.  And I am proud because I can't live in humility. It is a very ugly heart to have when it is filled with this.  
Luke gives another account of this story in chapter 12: 22-34. He adds a little twist with much needed encouragement. He says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for you Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 
My heart's treasure is stuff, having things and the ability to get them. 

Today I took the girls to the park. My children were not raised in going to the park. Sure we would take them from time to time but it wasn't a regular thing for us. Today I took them because I wanted to simply be with and get them out of the house for a while. 

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."Have I truly made my family my treasure? Perhaps the real answer has been "no." If all was lost tomorrow what would be the most valuable thing to keep? Logically my family is the correct answer. Well then, Patsy start acting like it!He has already given the remedy... "seek first His kingdom and all will be added unto you, for He knows what you need." "Is not life more important then food, drink and clothes?"