For many years, I have been living with the knowledge that I am responsible for a very valuable diamond ring that was my mother's. She was given these diamonds when she married my stepfather. He had his "graduation" several years before hers, so she took her wedding rings to a jeweller to have them made into a dinner ring. At her "graduation", she left this highly valued ring to her granddaughter, my daughter. I was to keep the ring as long as I wanted it, and then pass it on to my daughter.

My husband and I have matching wedding bands. Mine has been a constant companion for 43 years. There are a few other pieces of jewellery that have sentimental value, but there has been no emphasis on jewellery in my life. During the time I was preparing for a trip away from home, I decided to put the dinner ring and the wedding ring away for safekeeping. If there were to be a break-in while we were away, these valuable things would not be found.

It was some time after we returned home that I realized that I did not know where I had "hidden" the rings. The looking process took place over nearly three months. This really gives one time to think about the important things! It was not important, either for my salvation or to find favour with God, for me to find the rings, but it was hard to face the humiliation of losing such a "treasure".

It was not a real treasure. The value of my own peace and time was weighed against the anxiety and time put into searching, examining my movements, and knowing that in my own house, I had lost something for which we were paying insurance premiums. It became clear to me that this was not the way I wanted to spend my time protecting earthly goods. I wanted to be free of these concerns.

What is weighing down our time? What is disturbing our peace? What is keeping happiness away? Where are our values?

Matthew 6:19-21 – 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. (NIV)

Prayer: Forgive us, O God, when all too easily and all too often we allow our minds, and our time and attention and energy, to be focused on the treasures of this world. Help us rather to set our minds on things above. Set us free with joy to spend our time and energy laying up treasure in heaven by investing ourselves in sharing the treasures of Your truth and love with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

We live in a century farmhouse. The windows on the inside seem to be the originals, with storm windows having been installed on the outer side in the 1950s. Each window is divided in two. Cleaning the eight sides of these window panes is an engineering feat, since they have to come out completely. There is a means of accomplishing this that includes two screwdrivers, removal of wooden trim, and balance with muscle. I have done this many times over twenty years, and I know that the process consumes time.

A dirty window was in my sight every morning, and it had been neglected far too long. It was time to clean the glass in the windows so that the imperfections would be washed away. The glass required a great deal of cleaning, even scraping, to remove the fly specks and oils. Elbow grease, distilled water, some chemical spray, more distilled water, blade scraper, more water, and elbow grease brought results. To my eye, each window looked cleaned, shined, and ready to receive the bright light of the morning.

Upon awakening the next day, I went straight to that window to see the glory of God's light, but the window was streaked and smudged with spots that hadn't come out. I wondered, "What is going to remove those spots? What is it going to take to make that window bright and shiny? Is it possible for me to make it so? I think not."

But I do know that it is possible for each of us to have our spiritual spots removed and our streaks wiped clean, because this happened to me. I have been washed over and over with perfect results, because Jesus takes care of me. His grace has wiped me, scrubbed me, and removed my stains. This privilege is available to all who call on the name of the Lord and follow His Word, example, and commands.

Isaiah 1:18 – "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are the light. In You is no darkness. You have brought the light into the world. Thank You for giving Your Son to light the world. As we deal with life, make us aware of Your love. Help us to be aware of Your desire that we should be perfect, clean, and without streaks of sin. Thank You for the grace that makes us perfect. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.