Hidden Treasures

    Today I begin by recounting a most wonderful adventure of three little boys. In primary recently my friend created a treasure hunt for her class. The three little boys were really excited to go and find the prize. They had no idea what they were looking for or where the path would lead. But someone told them they were going on a treasure hunt. 

   The three little boys were extremely excited. One of them rushed to find the first clue. They read the clue somewhat quickly and then raced to find the next. Sometimes the boys would be running so fast they would race right past a clue that would tell them where they were going and they would wander a bit. One time the littlest boy wasn't paying attention and he ran into a shiney metal column. It was beautiful from far away, and even up close, but when his head hit the metal, it didn't feel so beautiful any more. It took him some time to recover.

     Eventually the primary children realized that if they followed the clues exactly that they would make it to their final destination. They began to be more and more excited as they found one and then another. Finally they arrived at the final destination, but needed a key to get to the treasure. (They still didn't know what it was but boy they were chomping at the bit to find out) What awaited them on the other side was the most exciting thing to a young boys eyes... a giant pile of candy!!! Think of how happy they were. Good thing they had stuck with the path and kept on going. It allowed them to gain a pretty nice blessing in the end. 

    Now that is a silly story, but I think there are some valuable lessons that we can learn from these boys. First, are we excited about the journey of life? Second, are we stopping to notice the signs posted along the way by God that will help us reach it to our ultimate goal? When we run into obstacles are we getting up to keep on going? Are you wandering a bit with our eyes closed not paying attention to what is right in front of us?

    For the past few days I've had a question on my mind and that question is am I blind like the little boy who saw, but didn't really see? Do I really see the people around me for who they are or do I just walk past them like the boys did with the clues? How about everyone else are they blind too? 

    It seems to me that for some reason intentional or not we are all walking around with blinders covering our eyes. It seem we as a society are really good at seeing shiney things that sparkle and glitter, but that we may be missing truly beautiful things all around us. 

  There is a conversation I have heard many times the past few weeks and even participated in a few times myself. As two people sit down to converse the conversation begin something like this. "hey how are you?" "good how are you?" "I'm great! And do you know what, that person over there is incredible, and talented and beautiful and smart..." 

    Well that may be true for the person over there, have any of us stopped to think about what the person right in front of us may be thinking? Do we tell and show them they are beautiful and important people too? Or do we leave people to wonder if they are really seen?  We have an opportunity to leave those people feeling either better or worse about themselves when we leave a situation. What are we choosing to do? 

   Yes, this even applies to dating. Many people myself included tend to complain about how little success there is in this area of our lives. But I want to know are we looking past opportunities right in front of us and staring at a non-existent possible potential who we don't even know and can't even communicate with? 

   Are we even searching at all? Are we just walking through life not looking around us to see who is there and who we can bless and serve?  

  So, I strongly feel that I am surrounded by the most incredible people in the world. The young men around me do so much good. They are working hard and trying to become good husbands and fathers. The young women around me are also doing amazing things. They are so talented! They can cook, bake, clean, organize, plan amazing events, lift serve, and bless. But do you know what? I think too often these amazing men and women look right past each other! It breaks my heart! 

  So I don't know where this is going or what its purpose is, but I guess I am just pleading with all of us to open our eyes and see who is right there! Lets not be blind, and most of all lets find the treasures that are hidden right before our face simply because we aren't searching!