Life’s Greatest Treasures

I was thinking about the importance of family a couple of nights ago when I woke up around 3:00 and couldn’t go back to sleep for a while. We’d just had a nice visit from Judy’s younger brother, whom we had not seen for several years. I was thinking about our sons, daughters-in-law, and 10 grandchildren, especially the little one with all his health challenges. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and an unbroken line stretching back way before I was born, and that will continue long after I’ve left this world.

More than an heirloom…

It was November 20, 2004, with dear friends (friends are family, too!) at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, watching “Christmas in the Smokies,” at one of the theaters. The young lady was singing:

Up in the attic 
Down on my knees 
Lifetimes of boxes 
Timeless to me
 Letters and photographs 
Yellowed with years 
Some bringing laughter 
Some bringing tears 

Time never changes 
The memories, the faces of loved ones, who bring to me 
All that I come from, 
And all that I live for,
 And all that I'm going to be 
My precious family 
Is more than an heirloom to me.

I was touched by the emphasis on the importance of family, the feeling, the connection reaching far back into the past, and extending into the future “and all that I’m going to be.”

The second verse, in its Christmas context, had me in tears:

Wise men and shepherds 
Down on their knees 
Bringing their treasures 
To lay at his feet 
Who was this wonder baby yet king 
Living and dying 
He gave life to me 

Time never changes 
The memory, the moment His love first pierced through me 
Telling all that I come from 
And all that I live for 
And all that I'm going to be 
My precious savior 
Is more than an heirloom to me 

My precious Jesus is more than an heirloom to me

Four Take Aways

Here’s my take away from this lesser known Amy Grant song “Heirlooms:”

Family, and by extension, friends, are life’s greatest treasure. And these enriching, protecting, loving, and life-giving relationships are only possible when we are connected by saving faith to “our precious Savior.” He is the Solid Rock, the Strong Foundation, that makes family what it was meant to be. And remember, friends are family, too!

1. Write a letter, make a phone call, send a text to a special family member or friend today, telling them you’re praying for them, and how much they mean to you. It will encourage and affirm them and will give you joy.

2. Browse through an old photo album, looking at those faces…The memories may very well flow, and while we can’t live in the past, it’s important to remember. Thank God for those who’ve influenced your life for God and for good.

3. Some of you were deeply hurt by family betrayal in various ways. Forgive them, give up the bitterness for the sake of your own soul and emotional health, and go on. You’ll be so glad you did; it will liberate your spirit.

4. Enlarge your circle. Someone you know slightly needs a family. Go now, and find someone you can bless in Jesus’ name and make part of your extended family.

Jesus and family… “more than an heirloom to me.”

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Steve Lytle

Steve and his wife Judy have spent the majority of their ministry in Panama with Free Will Baptist International Missions. They recently retired and are hard at work serving the Lord locally. Steve is serving the elder generation of Cofer's Chapel mainly, but is also involved in visiting sick, hospitalized, and shut-ins of any generation at our church. Steve is also heavily involved in the church's Hispanic ministry as teacher and translator.

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