Store It

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.  (Luke 2:19 NASB)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:21 NKJV)

Some memories just stick with me effortlessly.  I can still picture the ripples on the water flowing out of the back of the cove, giving us faint clues that there was something more to discover.  I remember the faint sound of a far-off rain storm of sorts as the canoe navigated me closer to the source.  I remember the deafening sounds of rushing water falling down the incalculable rocky edges creating a cooling mist on a hot, humid day.  I remember seeing the sun peaking through the tree-canopy surrounding the little lagoon resting peacefully at the base of this as the canoe lay rest in beautiful, flowing waterfall.  I remember being silent in awe - recognizing the very presence of God.

I also remember different time filled with fear, anger, and confusion.  I remember trying to protect people I loved from a angry, loud, verbal assault from another person I loved.  I remember physically standing between the one I was protecting and her attacker.  I remember wielding the strongest words I could muster.  I remember failing.  The damage was done.  The battle was lost.

What kinds of things do you remember?

Memories are powerful motivators.  We are often driven today by the things that we remember from yesterday.  When thoughts and experiences enter our minds, some of them we choose to store away in our hearts (long term memory).  The things we choose to store away will come back another day.  They become our "treasure" - the things most important to us.  They can haunt us all the days of our lives or help us become the person God wants us to be.

What kinds of "treasure" have you stored in your heart?