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

Carpe Momentum -- Seize the Moment

Often I blog about making moments count. There's a Latin phrase for it: Carpe Momentum which means "Seize the Moment". I’m thrilled to be alive HERE on planet earth today in this generation. Even though I live in a 55+ community, I sure don’t want to hang with anyone who thinks “old”. I love hanging with those who live in the moment and in that moment they find so much to be grateful and joyful about.

This is MY own definition of a MOMENT: "an instant, that almost imperceptible amount of time that barely registers measurement, but when being present and given full thought and attention to it, miracles can happen, inventions and innovations can be created, lives are transformed and heaven touches earth -- because the MOMENT was noticed.” – Donna Wuerch

The older I get the more I understand the importance and value of seizing the moment. Life’s “stuff” happens to all of us. "Stuff" happened to my husband and I. I remember a season of major challenges in our lives. Important life-altering decisions needed to be made. But, rather than sitting around worrying, we spontaneously decided to take a trip to Branson, Missouri on November 1st – the first day of Christmas at Silver Dollar City. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made. It was not only therapeutic to get-away-from-it-all, but it refreshed us and took our perspective and attitudes to a whole new place.

When I placed this figurine on my kitchen counter this Christmas, I couldn’t help but remember that weekend, because underneath the items we purchased (as a keepsake of times of sweetness), I would always write the occasion and the date on the bottom. We SEIZED the MOMENT on that weekend.

Seizing the moment is engaging in intentional thinking. At church, when the priest, rabbi or pastor is speaking, do you find your mind wandering or even falling asleep? And all the while, that speaker may have given wisdom for the answer you needed to help you get out of your difficult situation. I’m one of those “note takers” in church or meetings because I want my valuable time to be worthwhile and I want to give honor to the speaker’s valuable time that he/she spent preparing.

I’m the camera/photo opt “junkie” in our family. I'm always seizing the moment to take a photo of precious times. I'm taking a lot of photos while I'm with my two younger grandsons in Austin. Every moment of nurturing them, seizing the moment to cuddle them, and when typical sibling rivalry or some act of disobedience happens, I get the opportunity to talk about God's way being the best way. I want them to remember Nana as one who was always pointing to Jesus. I know these two young boys will soon no longer be needing for Nana to see after them -- like their two older brothers who are now on their own. So every moment seized is every moment remembered.

Seize the moment. It works like this. In the midst of the craziness of life, seize a few quiet minutes to rest, reflect, recharge. Maybe take a mini mental vacation to enjoy life’s blessings. Instead of working through your lunch hour (or just 20 minutes), turn off your phone and computer to truly enjoy the daily bread you have been given. Go out for dinner…at some place that serves your meal on a plate, not in a bag. Stop by to see your parents, older kids and/or especially your grandkids. If you can’t get there physically, then call them, skype them, or just sit quietly and send up a prayer for them. Reflect on life and give thanks that you can see, move or even just breathe.