Hidden Treasures

“I will give you hidden treasures…so that
you may know that I am the Lord your God.”
Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)

In last week’s Bible Bits post, I referenced today’s verse and shared some of the treasures of darkness that Bruce and I have discovered during our special needs parenting journey with James Bruce. Today I want to focus on some of the hidden treasures that we’ve been blessed to discover over the last two months since I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.

Many of our hidden treasures have been from God Himself as He has given us His peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7); held us close; and reminded us that He is sovereign and in control. He hasn’t left us alone. God has given both His Word and His Spirit to settle our hearts and minds. He has also sent other resources to help us.

Elisabeth Elliot has been a major influence for me both through her life and her books.  Elliot’s practical, no-nonsense wisdom helped bring order to my personal chaos this year as I planned my son’s funeral and faced my breast cancer. Elliot spoke at our church in the mid 1990s. In a question-and-answer session, someone asked her, “How do you know God’s will for your life?” Elliot’s immediate response was short and to the point: “Discipline your emotions and do your next thing.” Elliot’s advice is a hidden treasure. It served us well as Bruce and I raised our children; navigated special needs programs; transitioned James Bruce to residential placement; and unexpectedly buried him last year. It served me well this morning when my radiation treatments were delayed until next week.

God hasn’t just used books and good advice, however. He has also used his people. Bruce and I continue to be amazed at the kindness, generosity, and creativity that people have so graciously given us. Last week we received a gently recycled Amazon box that contained a beautiful hand-made quilt. One of the quilt squares had three pink ribbons representing breast cancer awareness on it. Lisa’s quilt is a hidden treasure of my current darkness reminding me that we are loved and people are praying.

Another thoughtful friend wanted to provide parking deck money. When I explained that the hospital has free valet parking for cancer patients, Sharon surprised me with a card containing fifty dollar bills. “This is your valet tip money,” she said. God was supplying needs I didn’t even know I had!

There have been many other treasures over the last two months: meals, cards, gift cards, books, hydrangea (my favorite!)note cards, and even a special birthday lunch hosted by a dear friend. The luncheon was truly a labor of love. The weather outside was cold and dreary, but a cozy fire, delicious food, spring flowers, good coffee, and rich conversation in her home refreshed and encouraged me. I hadn’t realized how much I needed the fellowship and encouragement, but God did. He used my friends to provide it.

Yesterday another friend casually asked, “Have you seen the beautiful daffodil display in the church parking lot?”

After my doctor’s appointment and the disappointing delay, I asked Bruce if we could go to the church and look for the daffodils. One look at his face told me what he was really thinking, but thankfully Bruce didn’t say a word. He just headed for the church. Once there, the beautiful daffodils weren’t hard to find. There were hundreds! As I stood in the warm afternoon sunlight, I remembered my Mama. Oh, how Mama planted and loved daffodils!

A couple of years before she died, I took Mama for a drive along the ridge of Shades Mountain. The dogwood trees were in full bloom and neighborhoods were bursting with the colors of spring. Mama suddenly turned reflective as we neared the end of our drive. "Anybody who doubts the reality of the resurrection and life after death has never really considered Spring and the life that bursts forth when everything seems dead."

God used daffodils and the memory of my sweet Mama to remind me of our hope in Christ and the reality of the resurrection. Mama's body is dead, but her spirit and her faith, much like the daffodils live on. (Hebrews 11:4)

Two more hidden treasures and light for my darkness.