Treasurers to Scavengers

The usual “treasure hunt” that Nana (me) always provided for the grands for their birthday each year until they aged out of it, was differen for Brennan's 16th this year. I explained to the 18 participants about how my grands always had a treasure hunt with a rhyming clue that led to the next location and another clue – with a big birthday treasure gift at the end. This year Brennan’s treasure hunt was a scavenger hunt. With 18 participants and 18 items to find, it was a sight to behold. This scavenger hunt required that they had to use their sense of teamwork, creative thinking and skill that led to some hilarious photo opportunities. We customized our hunt for the beach and oh what antics ensued – from burying one of their team mates in the sand to asking a stranger to sing happy birthday to Brennan or to make up a team cheer.

Using technology (their phone cameras to record the singing and team cheer as well taking photos) and with using their minds – the three teams of six were back with photos of their 18 items in less than 20 minutes. Two teams tied because while one team came in first, they found a boogie board instead of the surf board on the list, while the team who came in second actually found a surf board. We called it a tie, but they weren’t satisfied with a tie so they played a corn hole toss game for the championship. Of course, my competitive two grandsons, Brennan’s and Payton’s team, won. Oh, what fun!

I admit it.....I love the notion of hunting and finding hidden treasures. That must have been my impetus for treasure hunts for my grandkids for every birthday since they understood what it was about.

The fact is.....we're ALL on “hunts” as we journey through life. God made us for the journey. AND, best of all, He gives us so many clues in His Word to find the hidden treasures and the stuff we need for success in life. Every place He says "IF you....." is a CLUE to success. And when we follow the CLUE to the nth degree, then we are assured of finding the treasure that causes us to be completely successful in life. I loved the creativity of those kids when they were searching for their items. Of course, it was easier for one team to bury a five-year-old little girl in sand in much faster time than the big guy buried on the other team. Of course, it was easier to take photos of items than to have to actually bring those items back to us. And, of course, God has short cuts and a faster way of blessing us when we pursue His wisdom and creativity instead of “doing it my way”!

Example: "IF YOU pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep His covenant of love with you....." Deuteronomy 7:12
"IF YOU make the Most High your dwelling – even the LORD, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your dwelling." Psalm 91:9-10

Have you been searching for the key to your success, the open door that leads to prosperity, the matchmaker that brings you your significant other, the magic potion that gives you restored health, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Then I urge you, today, to begin searching for the treasures in God's Word. The Bible is God’s treasure chest where He has so many valuables just waiting for you!

And here's the real clincher -- God considers us His treasure. Oh, how He loves you and me! "IF YOU obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." Exodus 19:5

What is YOUR Aroma?

On the the way to church, yesterday morning, there was a sweet aroma in my car – a fragrance that brings me to tears. Oh but first before I go there.....I'll tell you what created that lovely aroma. Leading up to Saturday, the 16th, there were 16 days of celebrating my granddaughter's Sweet 16 birthday. Her Mom, Alexia and I started the month with an adventurous trip to Six Flags and now it was my turn to finish out the celebrations on Saturday. We celebrated in Nana/Alexia style!

The first thing on Saturday, I headed to the Wallace home for our final day to begin. After my "legacy" talk that I spoke about yesterday in my post/blog, it was time for Nana’s birthday treasure hunt. Unlike other years when a clue leads to another clue until the BIG treasure is found, this year, there were six clues, each representing a letter in Alexia’s name that sent her to places to look around their home. At each location was a paragraph of "wisdom" for her and the treasure that went with the letter. For example, A = Alexia. "The A in Alexia represents ALEXIA which means “helper and defender of mankind”. Indeed, my sweet girl, God’s anointing is on you and you WILL be helping men, women, boys and girls through your beautiful heart of love. You have the DNA of a warrior and a strong, mighty woman of God with a heart to touch so many with God’s love and power. The A has a treasure ahead! Go find it near your Mom & Dad’s bed. Maybe there’s something there that will remind you of “defending mankind”!"
The A treasure was AMC Theater (that would be a part of our day). She’s a strong warrior already so of course, I knew she wanted to see “Spiderman” yet again. There were other clues, treasures and adventures that made for a very special 16th birthday complete.

After the treasure hunt we headed out for lunch, the movie, and some retail therapy which inspired this day's post/blog. At the mall, we walked by a store that ALWAYS takes me back to my sweetheart and HIS aroma. Maybe this is too much information, but here goes anyway! One of my favorite characteristics about him was he always desired to smell good, so throughout the day, he would splash on a little more cologne. So when Alexia and I were passing by the Abercrombie & Fitch store, Alexia said, “Nana, you want to go in?” She knew my heart. We did. We sprayed his and my favorite -- that wonderful “Fierce” cologne on the little cards. Momentarily, I couldn't hold back the tears. When we got to the car, Alexia put her card in the vent of my air conditioner – thus, the aroma in my car yesterday morning going to and from church.

I breathed in that wonderful aroma and I had precious thoughts about my sweetheart. He's certainly basking in heavenly scents now. And, on this side of heaven, God wants all of us to exude His own sweet aroma to the world.

2 Corinthians 2:14 says this: "But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, He has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go He uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel LIKE A SWEET PERFUME.”

What if our lives sent out an aroma that attracted people to God? Our aroma will either attract others to Him or repel them. The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior. When we walk with God and are imitators of His character (love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.) we will leave behind an aroma that can inspire others to follow. So many need to experience that aroma....and they will, as we continue to "splash on" His fragrance. So....what is YOUR aroma today?