For months she had requested that we go on an afternoon walk through the cemetery. Maybe it was years. I packed up my toddler, and we met my sister-in-law at the entrance. The late summer sun led us to shadier paths, and we weaved back and forth through the grassy hills, occasionally pausing at stones that caught our eye.
He had a long life. She only lived for a few months. Three generations of this family are here. What was here besides remnants of bones and names? We were looking for a baby name for this child who would join us in a few months. My little one ran and hid behind trees, giggling as he went along, juxtaposing a young living child and the deceased.
Life, along with what we cling to while we're here, comes and goes. The going part is hardest when we’re tied up in the tangible. It's tempting to hoard our goods, whether it’s money, time, praise. It’s almost too easy to be greedy sometimes.
But in today's Gospel, Jesus warns us of the dangers of riches and making them the end goal. (Luke 12:15) When we put our hope in passing things, we start to trample over each other, and we lose sight of the real treasure in being alive, able to do good with our riches and be grateful for what we have.
There have been times in my life where we have been on the receiving end of incredible generosity. And there have been times in my life where we have been able to give. I'm grateful for the reminders that I should be living an earthly life that will bring me to eternal life.
When we put our hope in passing things, we start to trample over each other.Click to tweet
Contemplate what it means that you can't bring it with you. Are you storing up treasures here for the sake of hoarding or sharing?
Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. You can find out more about her here.
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