Recovering lost treasure

ROCKWALL / HEATH, TX (April 11, 2014) As a young girl I treasured a gift chosen just for me. My grandparents had given me a ring with a small ruby stone for my birthday. The ring had a real gold band that wouldn’t turn my finger green like the dime store rings I’d worn. 

I wore my new ring on the fourth finger of my left hand—like an engagement ring. And I wore it all the time, never wanting to take it off. One summer day I wore it to the swimming lake a few blocks from home. As I laid out my beach towel on a grassy area by the lake, I thought of my ring. What if it should slip off in the water? I took it off and put it next to some coins in the corner of my towel. 

After swimming I realized someone had run across my towel, scattering my things into the deep grass. Heart pounding, I searched all around, but couldn’t find it. Heartbroken, I walked home without my ring. 

I never tried to replace that ruby ring. I just wanted it back. For so long, I wondered if someone else had found it and kept it, or if it remained hidden in the earth. 

I’ve lost more valuable treasures over the years, family members and friends. Suddenly they were gone, and none of my tears could bring them back. I’ve wondered if they are safe in God’s keeping, or if they’re asleep in the earth, waiting to be gathered by the One who knows where to find his possessions. And I hope to find my lost treasures again someday. 

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” –John 6:40 (ESV) 

Patti Richter

By Blue Ribbon News special contributor Patti Richter of Heath, a journalist who writes news and feature stories, book reviews and more for Christian publications.

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