Treasuring ALL things

I love the story in Luke 2 when Mary and Joseph take their family to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. It was likely a very large group traveling together with lots of cousins and aunt and uncles…a LARGE group. Everything is going great until a FULL DAY into the trip home they realize they have left a child. JESUS. It was now 3 days and they were still looking. PANIC!!!
I have to say this story brings hope to a very imperfect mother. Have you ever left your child somewhere? Have you ever been left as a child? It’s a terrifying experience. Even being separated between aisles in the department store and not knowing which aisle can illicit fear in the calmest mother.
I can’t imagine how Mary felt, it was JESUS! I wonder if she beat herself up like most mothers do? i.e. How do you lose the Son of God? (ok, I’ve never said THAT, but you get my point!)
At the end of the story, they find Jesus at the temple. He was listening and teaching the scriptures. Mary’s response is just like any mother, why did you wander off? (Ok, she might have been a bit sweeter than most of us. The emotions of relief, love and anger that flow from mis-placing a child can make us not so nice, especially if they are not scared or meant to leave you.)
More specifically, “Why have you treated us like this, we have been anxiously searching for you” (vs.48) Jesus replied, “Why were you searching for me? DIdn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?”
“But they did not understand what He was saying to them.” ….”But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”
This is my favorite part, there were times when Mary didn’t understand. Things happened, she messed up, she did the best she could, as we all do. But sometimes things happen and we just don’t understand, despite our best attempts. Mary’s response is what separates us at times, It was during the times of her not understanding that reminded her of who he was. He was Jesus and her relationship with Him trumped her understanding of what He did. Mary was able to step back from the circumstances and trust what God was doing in her life was a greater purpose than what she could see. Mary treasured the moments she had with Jesus as He grew in wisdom and statue and in favor with God and man. I am sure as he grew, she did too.
Our time with Jesus will always result in the growing of our wisdom. Are we spending time with Him and deepening our relationship with HIm so when hard times come, we are able to step back and treasure the things in our heart that we know to be true? Our wisdom rests in treasuring our relationship with Him not our understanding our why He does what He does. He can trust Him. He is trustworthy!
Spend time building your relationship with Jesus today!