“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”
Luke 2:51 NIV
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Learning a new skill has the tendency to make you feel like you’re going a little crazy. I’ve been learning the “new” skill of raising boys for nine years now and I’ve decided I don’t just FEEL like I’m going crazy… I might actually be it.

BUT, one of the things that helps me regain a little un-crazy is finding community. Community reminds you that you’re not alone and this squirmy, failure feeling is actually probably a sign you’re doing it right. It reminds you that you WANT to be a part of this battle, this life, this challenge, this love, this WHATEVER you are pursuing.

It reminds you to treasure.

Treasure the struggle. Treasure the sweat. Treasure the “wins” and the “losses.” Treasure every single moment.

Mary – the Jesus’s mother Mary – was really awesome at treasuring. There are two times in her account that highlight her taking time to treasure.

• First, after shepherds she had never met came to meet and worship her child, the Son of God. “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:16-19 NIV)
• Second, when Jesus was a little older and had been missing from her and Joseph for a couple days. “’Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:49-51 NIV)

She knew how to pause and celebrate. She knew what to treasure in this life and where to put those treasures. Amidst challenges, tears, mountains, and valleys, she knew how to find the beauty in life.

I suspect this is because of the community she kept: her God-fearing husband, her faith community that she journeyed, worshipped and “did life” with, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, the close company she kept with God.

This week I’m going to take time to pause, treasure and store up these beautiful things surrounding me that God opens my eyes to. Join me – be a part of my community. We can remind each other to pause, treasure and store!! Comment below if you’ll be joining me in this week’s focus.

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Dear Lord, thank you so much for letting us have this sneak-peak into Mary’s secret joy. Thank you for giving us this reminder to treasure the moments you give us. Guide our eyes and our focus to find them and thank you for them. Help us keep community with others that will do this with us in the mountains and the valleys of life. Amen.

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