Tracking Treasures A therapist moved to the rural woodlands. To learn to understand his new culture, he went to a workshop called, How to Track Woodland Animals. He wanted to know the difference between fisher tracks and otter tracks; he wanted to learn where and how to find black bear and how to follow the lynx and fox to their lairs, but mostly he wanted to understand the nature of nature, and the nature of his neighbors. Instead, he learned about himself. He was paired with a woods-wise woman with whom he spent silent hours tracking deer. On a deer path, each simultaneously spotted an odd black stone that looked like the petrified hoof-print of a deer. Being younger, he was quicker and snatched the odd stone first. As he eyed it in his hand, he could tell that she wanted it, so he gave it to her as a gift. Three times she graciously refused. Three times he gave it back. In the time that has passed, he has come to understand that the odd black stone meant more to him because he gave it away than it ever would have meant to him had he kept it for himself. The true gifts we give to each other and the true gifts we receive have meaning far beyond their value. When we selflessly give of ourselves, we store up treasure in heaven.* Lets Pray: Dear God, heavens treasure that we store seems, at times, more useless than useful. Help us understand that love always is priceless. Amen. Heres a Thought: Where your treasure is, there is your heart.* Sources: I heard this story told in a small group setting at a symposium on healing and medicine. *Matthew 6:20-21
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 09:38:43 +0000
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