Thursday, January 24, 2008

Don't count the cost of loving someone

Matthew 13:44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.


We received an email from an acquaintance about his and his wife's decision not to celebrate Valentine's Day. Fine by me, I'm of the opinion that Valentine's has turned into a Hallmark holiday, at least if you let it. I, on the other hand, always appreciate a particular day to take the time to express my love to my beloved, because the reality of my life is that I don't daily express the depths of my love.

This post is not entirely about V-day, however. Our friend said of his wife: she has bought into God’s commandment for us to be thrifty. It has stuck in my craw all day, and I finally figured out why it bothered me so. (I will freely admit that I have never met his wife, and this is a statement taken somewhat out of context.)

When we have completed Dean's adoption, we will have spent well over $100,000 for our adoptions. One can hardly say we are thrifty. We will be feeding, clothing, and educating 8 children while trying to save for college! In the worlds' eyes, it is not exactly the best financial management plan, is it?

But when I look at those beautiful faces I have often thought: I would have given so much more! Not because I have some perverse desire to spend more money, but because I have a desire to see God's blessings overflow in the life of my family as He makes a way for us to adopt His children and raise them, hopefully for His glory. I have no desire whatsoever to be thrifty in this part of my fiscal life, because to me it speaks of being thrifty in love and I think I would shrivel and die if I had to limit that part of myself. It makes me cry to think of it. God forbid that my 'treasure' should be saving money as an end unto itself. Thank God He is not thrifty in loving the least of these among us, because we can all justifiably be called the least of these. I don't want, at the end of my days, to only have thriftiness to count among my attributes, but rather extravagant love that didn't stop to count the cost, be it ever so high.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be, also. On Valentine's Day, and all the days before and after, may we revel in the richness of God's incomparable love for us, and pass that love on to those who are poor in God, not counting the cost.






8 comments:

Shelley said...

What a wonderful post!

amyl4 said...

This is so beautiful and so are all of your children!
Amy

Alana - The Mommy said...

Jill, that was really beautiful. Thank you for sharing your heart. I am glad to know you.

I am going to email you some things that your post brought to my mind. They go right along with it!

You are a blessing to me friend.

janice fenimore said...

Jill, that scripture in Matthew was one that we studied in BSF this week. And, oh, the treasures that you have bought! And thankfully, Jesus sold all he had to redeem us.

Mom

Instantly Mama said...

Awesome post! Those faces are worth every penny! :) I think that you have chosen an awesmoe way to use the resources God has given you. And I already know from experience that the blessings come back 100X more!

Jennifer said...

They are so, so worth it. Thank you for sharing your sweet heart.

And by the way, I think only spending 100K for 5 adoptions is actually really good. ;)

Laura Lu said...

Oh Jill--you are so beautiful!

I love you!

Ronette said...

What a blessing, Jill! Those children are definitely your heavenly treasure.

Ronette