TREASURES OLD, BUT NEW Military life involves constant moving. Families are uprooted again and again, moved from stateside assignments to overseas assignments – in Germany, South Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Italy, the UK, and Belgium – to name a few. When overseas assignments come, families will have most of the household goods – furniture, appliances, toys – put in storage. Then, when military families return to the States and get back their household goods, something pleasant and wonderful happens. They experience a sort-of “Christmas morning.” They re-discover treasures that they had forgotten they owned. This is especially true for children, who receive back toys and electronic games they had long since forgotten. When they get them back it’s like getting a bunch of Christmas presents. You know, the joy of re-discovering those old treasures is a lot like the joy that comes whenever we take time to count our blessings and thank God for them. Our foggy memories tend to put the blessings and joys of our lives “in storage.” God has poured many wonderful events, blessings, people, and treasures into our lives. But our lazy and under-worked memories have packed them all up “in storage” and we’ve forgotten what we have. As a result we completely lose sight of what we already have and focus on what we don’t have. We envy others and covet what they have. This practice can turn us into sour and complaining people. Let’s get all those blessings out of storage! Let’s put our memories to work and uncrate all the good things God’s given us. Let’s go through all those treasures and count all the blessings God’s lavished upon us. Let’s recount His many answers to prayer and celebrate the many times He’s protected us and kept us from disaster. Let’s remember God’s greatest gift to us – His own Son, with whom are all the unfathomable riches of heaven. Let’s open our hearts to God and let thankfulness flow from our lips to Him. Let’s rediscover how truly rich we are and have ourselves a Merry Christmas – every day! The Scripture says, “ Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). PRAYER: Dear Lord, Please jog my memory and help me recall all the blessings You’ve poured into my life. Help me to re-discover my long-forgotten treasures. Amen. Brian Wrede American Legion Post 91 Chaplain JESUS, really is the REASON for this, or any season US Army Have a \\\|/// Blessed Day (o o) --oOO-(_)-OOo--- Combat Medic 66-69 Physician Assistant 78-95 American Legion Post 91 PO Box 205 Corvallis, MT, 59828