Scripture — Matthew 6:19-24

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. . .” — Matthew 6:19

It was a beauty—the cherry-red car I saw in the showroom. It grabbed too much of my heart—and too much of my savings account. Soon ­after I bought it, I took it on a trip to the Rocky Mountains. Our first day’s destination was the home of friends.

It was a delight to be on that journey. I was glad to be greeted by friends —until I heard an unsettling crunch of metal on metal. Oh, oh—what happened?!

We went out to look. It wasn’t good. Our friends’ young ­driver had backed their “beast” into the left front of our brand-new car, which wasn’t so beautiful anymore. We stood there in shock, shaking our heads in dismay.

Then someone said, “Well, it has happened. Now the important thing is how we respond.” I felt like saying, “Easy for you to say; it’s my car!” But my better self came to see the wisdom of words.

What treasure was my heart set on? On a car, now marred with ugly damage? When the unwanted happens—an acci­dent, illness, death, whatever—the important thing is how we respond. Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 remind me to look to God and to know that He will work things out for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Prayer: Lord, guide us to seek You and Your Kingdom first. When bad things happen, hold our hearts and help us to know that in all things You work to bring good. Amen.